Please explain: why Google wants your Wi-Fi data
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It may improve their their location API. The current one is based on a mix of GPS (battery drain), and Cell/GSM triangulation (not very precise in low density areas). Adding WIFI recognition seems a valid technical reason. It'll soon show up in Android, when they have enough data. Of course the real reason is they want to rule the world. Waaaahaaaahaaahah. (Chris, we need a smiley for : Hollow Mad Scientist Laugh)
I understand the technical reasons. But that weirds me out not one iota less. And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Already explained, they want it for geolocation...basically the assumption is that the wifi networks don't move much, and hence do provide a reasonable estimate of your location. Not really sure what the issue is, its hardly a privacy issue, your broadcasting all the information that Google are gathering. If you don't want people to have the SSID or mac of your wifi, then you really shouldn't have chosen WiFi in the first place.
cjb110 wrote:
If you don't want people to have the SSID or mac of your wifi, then you really shouldn't have chosen WiFi in the first place.
That reminds me of the justifications that were given by people on Fox News when illegal wire tapping came up. I guess changing wifi routers is certainly a doable fix, but whether it be private or government I don't think they should be collecting networking information on you. People aren't broadcasting it for anyone but their own benefit. These aren't broadcast stations like a radio for all the world to use.
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
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I understand the technical reasons. But that weirds me out not one iota less. And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
You should... be afraid be very afraid. Muhaahahahaaahaa. :laugh:
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
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I understand the technical reasons. But that weirds me out not one iota less. And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
Oh please, it can't be any worse than :beer: or :badger: You don't see them overused. Which is a shame.
If I have accidentally said something witty, smart, or correct, it is purely by mistake and I apologize for it.
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From the Insider[^]: Please explain: why Google wants your Wi-Fi data [^] That really weirds me out.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Chris Maunder wrote:
That really weirds me out.
I know it seems weird, but I can drive down any street and collect exactly the same information they're collecting. It's publicly available now and has been since the beginning. Cheers, Drew.
And I can do the same thing with my neighbours' cars licence plates. Creep Factor holding steady.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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I understand the technical reasons. But that weirds me out not one iota less. And I fear a mad scientist laugh emoticon would get overused here. I know you lot.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
There's also an economical reason: streetview must cost a s**tload of money. This is peopleware here. (mammalware? Sentientware? Top-Grade Delicatessen?) While you're at it, use it as best as you can. Even if you can't you use the data afterwards, you'd be sorry if you hadn't collected it. And Australia is the prime country for it: hours of boring driving, and more wallabies than telecom masts. And no JSOP to shoot you off the porch.
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There's also an economical reason: streetview must cost a s**tload of money. This is peopleware here. (mammalware? Sentientware? Top-Grade Delicatessen?) While you're at it, use it as best as you can. Even if you can't you use the data afterwards, you'd be sorry if you hadn't collected it. And Australia is the prime country for it: hours of boring driving, and more wallabies than telecom masts. And no JSOP to shoot you off the porch.
When google starts going through my wheelie-bins then I'm really going to be weirded out.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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cjb110 wrote:
If you don't want people to have the SSID or mac of your wifi, then you really shouldn't have chosen WiFi in the first place.
That reminds me of the justifications that were given by people on Fox News when illegal wire tapping came up. I guess changing wifi routers is certainly a doable fix, but whether it be private or government I don't think they should be collecting networking information on you. People aren't broadcasting it for anyone but their own benefit. These aren't broadcast stations like a radio for all the world to use.
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
They aren't 'collecting networking information on you', they collecting networking information on the public and open EM waves. If they then somehow linked this networking information to an single address or person then that *might* be considered a breach of privacy. Wire Tapping is very different, a phoneline is easy to be considered as an enclosed environment, and the conversations carried by it are definatly private between two (or more) people. SSID/MAC's/Security Levels of a WiFi are no more private than the colour of your house. :rolleyes:
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From the Insider[^]: Please explain: why Google wants your Wi-Fi data [^] That really weirds me out.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning. I grow weary of the fact that Google feels immune to such consequences. Tacky as it sounds, whenever the governments finally go after Google and give them the Microsoft / DOJ treatment, I believe I'll roast marshmallows over the flames. It's time for the next group of small, furry mammals to take over.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
And I can do the same thing with my neighbours' cars licence plates. Creep Factor holding steady.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
And I can do the same thing with my neighbours' cars licence plates.
Sure could. Even worse, you could go around collecting house numbers and then put them in a directory with peoples names. Then you could figure out their phone numbers and cross reference those to the house numbers. You could even make a map with the house numbers which people could use to link your name and phone number to your location! Wait - what if every house was given a copy of that directory? Very, very creepy! OK, all sarcasm aside, the point is information that's been publicly available for decades is way more personal than a picture of my house and whether or not my home has a wireless router. Cheers, Drew.
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When google starts going through my wheelie-bins then I'm really going to be weirded out.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Yes well, now that you mention it, the Mounties have just delivered your tax return for 2002, and there is this strange entry for 'Code Project Marketing Promotion'. Does Mrs. Code Project know about his?
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Chris Maunder wrote:
And I can do the same thing with my neighbours' cars licence plates.
Sure could. Even worse, you could go around collecting house numbers and then put them in a directory with peoples names. Then you could figure out their phone numbers and cross reference those to the house numbers. You could even make a map with the house numbers which people could use to link your name and phone number to your location! Wait - what if every house was given a copy of that directory? Very, very creepy! OK, all sarcasm aside, the point is information that's been publicly available for decades is way more personal than a picture of my house and whether or not my home has a wireless router. Cheers, Drew.
I refuse to not be creeped out by this. Refuse, I tell you! (and yes, I'm fully aware that my home Wifi router is the least of the personal information I give out every day, all day. Still creeped!)
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Yes well, now that you mention it, the Mounties have just delivered your tax return for 2002, and there is this strange entry for 'Code Project Marketing Promotion'. Does Mrs. Code Project know about his?
That was a legitimate business expense! Our clients wanted to go there, not me! I wasn't even watching!
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning. I grow weary of the fact that Google feels immune to such consequences. Tacky as it sounds, whenever the governments finally go after Google and give them the Microsoft / DOJ treatment, I believe I'll roast marshmallows over the flames. It's time for the next group of small, furry mammals to take over.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning.
I seriously doubt that. I build 3D models of neighbourhoods for projects I work on. I drive up and down roads taking pictures and video. Back and forth many times to make sure I get good, focused shots from various angles. Never been a problem. Ever. From anyone. As for snooping wireless data - every wireless device out there has the functionality to do that. Wifi works because you can snoop for wireless connections! It would be quite the pain at the airport having to type in all the connection parameters. Probably wouldn't have caught on if people had to do that. Cheers, Drew.
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I refuse to not be creeped out by this. Refuse, I tell you! (and yes, I'm fully aware that my home Wifi router is the least of the personal information I give out every day, all day. Still creeped!)
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Well, I suppose I can't help what creeps me out either. Tim Tams at Walmart, for example. Cheers, Drew.
Now that's just wrong. Especially when they are the Kiwi Tim Tams. :shudder:
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning. I grow weary of the fact that Google feels immune to such consequences. Tacky as it sounds, whenever the governments finally go after Google and give them the Microsoft / DOJ treatment, I believe I'll roast marshmallows over the flames. It's time for the next group of small, furry mammals to take over.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning.
Where do you live again? That pretty much describes me playing tourist... The most attention I've gotten so far was a homeless guy looking to sell me a can of coffee (no, I didn't buy it - wasn't my brand).
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
If I was lurking around your neighborhood taking pictures and snooping on wireless data, someone would call the cops and I'd be arrested, or at least taken in for some serious questioning.
Where do you live again? That pretty much describes me playing tourist... The most attention I've gotten so far was a homeless guy looking to sell me a can of coffee (no, I didn't buy it - wasn't my brand).
I live up here in the country north of Atlanta. Come on down, bubba. We just cleaned our shotguns last week and need a little target practice. The deer are smart enough to stay away. :-D
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
From the Insider[^]: Please explain: why Google wants your Wi-Fi data [^] That really weirds me out.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
My guess is that they want: to know the Mac addresses of your iPhone, iPod, laptop, Blackberry and other mobile devices so they can connect a mobile device (wherever it is) back to an actual physical address. (Yep, Chris is in San Francisco right now using public Wifi (maybe even provided by Google) but we know that he usually is found at this address in Toronto). And also to get an inventory of the number and type of devices on your wifi network. I don't think they were looking for "data" per-se. My guess is that it was a huge global device inventory exercise. D