20 November 2012

Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff received confirmation yesterday that Google has destroyed all the information collected from unsecured WiFi networks during its Street View filming in NZ.

Google had earlier informed the Privacy Commissioner that 'payload' information had been securely destroyed, but after more checks it found one disk that contained New Zealand and Australian information.

'We're pleased to see the certificate from an independent agency verifying the irretrievable destruction of the New Zealand data,' said Ms Shroff.

Notes for editors: timeline of the investigations
May 2010: News breaks that Google Street View cars had collected WiFi information, including segments of communications crossing unsecured WiFi networks.

December 2010: Privacy Commissioner concludes investigation, finding Google in breach of NZ privacy law. Google provides undertakings, including undertaking to destroy the payload information.

March 2011: Google verifies that payload information destroyed, supported by independent report.

End of July 2012: Google notifies several privacy regulators that a check had unearthed the fact that it still had payload information from WiFi networks. Privacy Commissioner immediately asks Google to check whether it still held any New Zealand payload information.

October 2012: Google notifies NZ Commissioner that it has located one disk that may contain NZ and Australian payload information.

November 2012: Google confirms the irretrievable destruction of the NZ data.

Previous media statement, 10 October 2012: http://privacy.org.nz/all-wifi-payload-data-to-be-destroyed-privacy-commissioner-tells-google-media-statement/

For more information please contact Cathy Henry 021 509 735