I don't have a problem with Google doing this, and I really am quite perplexed about why anyone else does.
All Google is doing is mapping WiFi emitters against geographic location. It is essentially no different to me wandering up the public street with a GPS set and noting the location of any other service or physical thing which I can sense. For example, if I want to work up the road noting the position of every traffic light and speed camera, then so be it - and in point of fact people do just this to put into databases of speed camera locations, and it is not a problem. People even pay to download the resulting product for installation as POIs into their own GPS units.
So why exactly does anyone have a problem here? Could it just be a knee-jerk reaction against Google?
Personally I have far greater issue with the fact that if I want to use the GPS on my Android phone, I HAVE to consent to being lojacked by Google. This is a far greater invasion of privacy but virtually everyone who has an android phone is directly subscribing to it.
Mike Perry - 12 years ago
Several issues with this. Just setting the SSID to "xxxx_nomap" will not remove your AP from their list, but it will advertise (if set to broadcast) that you don't want to be mapped. Many do not know how to change the SSID, some do not broadcast it, some networks may require changes at each legitimate user equipment, etc. Also, they seem to have assumed that what may be legal in the US will be elsewhere - where it may not be legal. Someone should ask the EU/UK authorities if this approach is legal and take action against Google if it is not.
Plus there is the issue of who pays for the use of your broadband service? Other people 'piggy-backing' onto your line could cause your traffic capping to be invoked even though you have not used it! Similar problem with BT's Home Hub that offers TWO additional connections that you the user have no control over! Other people, some with a BT account and some without, can use YOUR broadband for their purposes and you have no control over it!
I don't like their whole approach, informed 'opt in' is far better than a blanket 'well you're in it anyway, but we'll let you have a way out even though it will not actually remove you from our database!'
Security? They have riddeen roughshod all over it again.
Richii - 12 years ago
SSID collection by Google is nothing compared to the things they collect from your "smart phone". So many ppl do Not have a clue. They may/probably get more info from your phone than the government could ever hope to collect on you.
Paul Wilson - 12 years ago
Many routers won't allow you to use an underscore in the SSID.
tlvp - 12 years ago
And then there are the ISP-provided wireless access points whose SSIDs have been set in stone by the ISP and *cannot* be altered. What a great convenience to google that users with those cannot opt out at all, short of swapping the access point out for one they buy themselves.
Jason - 12 years ago
I am torn. I hate the fact that Google slurped up all of these data without any notification to or permission from the owners of the access points. But, I also enjoy and appreciate the benefits of the location services that Google provides on its Android devices, and I know that if this were opt-in, the database of locations would be probably 1% of what it is currently. I think that this should be opt-in and it is nearly criminal that Google did what it did, but I am also secretly glad that it is opt-out because it makes things easier for me.
sickofnet - 12 years ago
It's like opening the door and the vault for a bank robber and then saying you weren't involved. After that, you decry any involvement of how it wasn't your fault! Give me a break!
Dyanna - 12 years ago
@Ozzy - Thanks for the response. TBH, I really don't see the big deal with it, as long as they can't access my network and personal info.
Ozz - 12 years ago
@Dyanna: It applies to _all_ access points, passworded, encrypted, doesn't matter. What matters is as long as they can see your SSID (which they can see even if you don't broadcast it) they can link your SSID to your geographic location.
Dyanna - 12 years ago
I may sound naive, but this only applies for those with no password right? My connection requires a password, and I even locked it down to only allowing specific MAC addresses. Would mine even matter?
Royfot - 12 years ago
I think I may change my router's SSID to "F*** Google". (in clear spelling, of course). Perhaps if everyone, who knows how, did the same Google might not be quite so keen on collecting the data.
I don't have a problem with Google doing this, and I really am quite perplexed about why anyone else does.
All Google is doing is mapping WiFi emitters against geographic location. It is essentially no different to me wandering up the public street with a GPS set and noting the location of any other service or physical thing which I can sense. For example, if I want to work up the road noting the position of every traffic light and speed camera, then so be it - and in point of fact people do just this to put into databases of speed camera locations, and it is not a problem. People even pay to download the resulting product for installation as POIs into their own GPS units.
So why exactly does anyone have a problem here? Could it just be a knee-jerk reaction against Google?
Personally I have far greater issue with the fact that if I want to use the GPS on my Android phone, I HAVE to consent to being lojacked by Google. This is a far greater invasion of privacy but virtually everyone who has an android phone is directly subscribing to it.
Several issues with this. Just setting the SSID to "xxxx_nomap" will not remove your AP from their list, but it will advertise (if set to broadcast) that you don't want to be mapped. Many do not know how to change the SSID, some do not broadcast it, some networks may require changes at each legitimate user equipment, etc. Also, they seem to have assumed that what may be legal in the US will be elsewhere - where it may not be legal. Someone should ask the EU/UK authorities if this approach is legal and take action against Google if it is not.
Plus there is the issue of who pays for the use of your broadband service? Other people 'piggy-backing' onto your line could cause your traffic capping to be invoked even though you have not used it! Similar problem with BT's Home Hub that offers TWO additional connections that you the user have no control over! Other people, some with a BT account and some without, can use YOUR broadband for their purposes and you have no control over it!
I don't like their whole approach, informed 'opt in' is far better than a blanket 'well you're in it anyway, but we'll let you have a way out even though it will not actually remove you from our database!'
Security? They have riddeen roughshod all over it again.
SSID collection by Google is nothing compared to the things they collect from your "smart phone". So many ppl do Not have a clue. They may/probably get more info from your phone than the government could ever hope to collect on you.
Many routers won't allow you to use an underscore in the SSID.
And then there are the ISP-provided wireless access points whose SSIDs have been set in stone by the ISP and *cannot* be altered. What a great convenience to google that users with those cannot opt out at all, short of swapping the access point out for one they buy themselves.
I am torn. I hate the fact that Google slurped up all of these data without any notification to or permission from the owners of the access points. But, I also enjoy and appreciate the benefits of the location services that Google provides on its Android devices, and I know that if this were opt-in, the database of locations would be probably 1% of what it is currently. I think that this should be opt-in and it is nearly criminal that Google did what it did, but I am also secretly glad that it is opt-out because it makes things easier for me.
It's like opening the door and the vault for a bank robber and then saying you weren't involved. After that, you decry any involvement of how it wasn't your fault! Give me a break!
@Ozzy - Thanks for the response. TBH, I really don't see the big deal with it, as long as they can't access my network and personal info.
@Dyanna: It applies to _all_ access points, passworded, encrypted, doesn't matter. What matters is as long as they can see your SSID (which they can see even if you don't broadcast it) they can link your SSID to your geographic location.
I may sound naive, but this only applies for those with no password right? My connection requires a password, and I even locked it down to only allowing specific MAC addresses. Would mine even matter?
I think I may change my router's SSID to "F*** Google". (in clear spelling, of course). Perhaps if everyone, who knows how, did the same Google might not be quite so keen on collecting the data.