NOS on 3, 13 July 2011: 'CBP obedient to Google for now'

"In March, Google was given six weeks by privacy regulator College Bescherming Persoonsgegevens (CBP) to erase their 3.6 million illegally obtained Dutch network numbers (SSIDs). They collected network numbers through cars that took images for Google Street View.

Google ignored the ultimatums and immediately hit back with an objection procedure. The consequence of this now is that CBP has suspended all their demands and fines until the court rules. So the information is still in Google's possession, while it is unclear how long the objection procedure will take. "The CBP's course of action surprises me," says Privacy First researcher Vincent Böhre. "They give in quite easily to Google instead of following through with the penalties. Maybe there is a legal reason for that, but now it seems they don't dare to put their foot down."

This is notable because the CBP is normally on top of things when it comes to privacy violations. Privacy violation? Yes, because the network numbers that Google collected illegally can be linked to other personal data, as the CBP itself -in a somewhat unfortunate way- pointed out proved. CBP itself then inadvertently disclosed privacy-sensitive information. (...)"

Read HERE the whole article at NOS on 3.