Google Street View Can't Catch a Break

Google is not in the clear yet. Although the Federal Trade Commission in late October ended its investigation of Google Street View cars' collection of Internet users' personal communications, the Federal Communications Commission launched a probe earlier this week.

The FCC is examining whether Google broke federal laws when its cars, which take pictures of buildings along city streets, accidentally collected passwords, e-mail messages and Web addresses of users on unencrypted Wi-Fi networks.

Google is being investigated across the United States and around the globe over the breach. The Web giant also is likely to face questions from lawmakers when Congress returns next week, Politico reports.

Politico quotes FCC's enforcement bureau chief as saying the agency is looking into whether Google violated the communications act. "As the agency charged with overseeing the public airwaves, we are committed to ensuring that the consumers affected by this breach of privacy receive a full and fair accounting," the chief, Michele Ellison, said.