The UK privacy watchdog has re-opened its inquiry into Google’s Street View program following the search firm’s admission that it had scooped up entire emails and passwords.
Previously Google had acknowledged that the Street View cars had collected “fragmentary” data from unsecured wireless networks in its sweep of streets in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office said it would re-visit its original inquiry to see whether it needed to take action against Google in the wake of the revelation, BBC reported.
A spokesman said the office had closely followed international investigations into Street View’s data collection since completing its own probe in July.
The disclosure could also deepen probes from other authorities into the Street View saga, in which the Google cars collected 600GB of personal data from Wi-Fi networks over four years.
French and German privacy agencies continue to investigate the issue, while more than 30 US state attorneys general have launched a joint inquiry.