Conn. probing whether Google illegally used private data from wireless networks for its maps

Conn. investigating Google’s use of private data

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s attorney general says he’s investigating whether Google illegally collected data from personal and business wireless computer networks for its mapping service.

The controversy stems from the company’s Street View feature, which provides pictures of neighborhoods. Authorities say the feature may violate privacy laws and last month, Google representatives acknowledged they had mistakenly collected data over public Wi-Fi networks in more than 30 countries.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal plans to hold a news conference Monday to say he’s asking Google whether it wrongly collected the data in Connecticut.

Police in Germany and Australia already have launched their own investigations into the matter.