Criminal investigations are underway in Australia, New Zealand and across the globe to determine whether Google's collection of personal data over unsecured wireless networks was illegal, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Following the announcement by New Zealand Police of the privacy commissioner's request for an investigation there, a Google New Zealand spokeswoman said the company will work with all relevant authorities. On Thursday, UK-based advocacy group Privacy International called for a criminal investigation, alleging a third-party review of the data collection establishes the interception was intentional. An Electronic Frontiers Australia spokesman, meanwhile, said there is no proof that was the case, but added, it remains to be seen whether or not Google's intent matters. "If I drive 140 in a 100 zone, I still get booked," he said.
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