After getting in trouble with the Information Commissioner’s Office last year over violations of the data protection act Google has announced that it has taken a great deal of steps to make sure that its privacy policies are a lot tighter. Information Commissioner Christopher Graham acknowledged the changes stating that Google has taken a number of proactive steps to ensure that their privacy procedures are now aligned with data protection laws. Graham noted however that the company needs to continue past the audit of the ICO to make sure that their new technologies and products also adhere to the same high standards.
Google was criticized from many world authorities after it admitted that its Street View mapping cars were able to collect payload data while out on the streets by accessing unsecured Wi-Fi networks. In response to the outcry, Google quickly announced that it would take whatever steps were necessary to be in compliance with data protection laws including enhanced data protection training for all staff members. The company also added tightened privacy controls on all of their existing products and declaring that all new products would have the same accommodation.