Waxman joins lawmakers seeking answers on Google privacy flap

Reps. Henry Waxman, (D-Cali.), Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Edward Markey, (D-Mass.) wrote to Google CEO Eric Schmidt this week seeking more information on the company’s collection of private information over Wi-Fi networks.

Google recently admitted to inadvertently collecting e-mails and documents transmitted over local wireless networks while compiling data for its Google Street View product. The search giant has since apologized for the transgression and deleted the data, but that hasn't stopped privacy advocates from requesting a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation.

"We are concerned that Google did not disclose until long after the fact that consumers' Internet use was being recorded, analyzed and perhaps profiled. In addition, we are concerned about the completeness and accuracy of Google's public explanations about this matter," wrote the lawmakers.

"We understand that this data collection first came to light in Europe, but it now seems that this practice was pervasive in the United States as well."

Markey and Barton sent a letter to the FTC earlier in May expressing concern about the issue but stopped short of demanding an investigation. In the letter to Schmidt the lawmakers express concern about Google's lack of candor on the incident and request answers to a number of questions.

Update: "As we have said before, this was a mistake. Google did nothing illegal and we look forward to answering questions from these congressional leaders," said a Google spokesperson in response to a request for comment.

The lawmakers enclosed a list of ten questions aimed at determining Google's intent in collecting the data and its current status. They question the percentage of U.S. roads documented for Google Street View, as well as how many Wi-Fi networks have been logged during the process. The letter also asks Google to quantify the number of consumers subject to the data collection and provide any legal analysis regarding potential privacy conseuqences. 

The letter respectfully requests a response by June 7.