Google is "almost certain" to face prosecution¹ for collecting data from unsecured wi-fi networks, according to Privacy International (PI).

国际隐私权组织称，谷歌因私自从未加密的无线网络中收集数据而“几乎肯定”将受到起诉。

Pressure is mounting over Google's wi-fi data capture

The search giant has been under scrutiny²（监视，审查） for collecting wi-fi data as part of its StreetView project.

Google has released an independent audit³（审计） of the rogue⁴ code, which it has claimed was included in the StreetView software by mistake.

But PI is convinced the audit proves "criminal intent".

"The independent audit of the Google system shows that the system used for the wi-fi collection intentionally⁵ separated out unencrypted（非加密的） content (payload data) of communications and systematically⁶ wrote this data to hard drives. This is equivalent to placing a hard tap and a digital recorder onto a phone wire without consent or authorisation," said PI in a statement.

This would put Google at odds⁷ with（争执） the interception⁸ laws of the 30 countries that the system was used in, it added.

Scotland Yard

"The Germans are almost certain to prosecute⁹. Because there was intent, they have no choice but to prosecute," said Simon Davies, head of PI.

In the UK the ICO has said it is reviewing the audit but that for the time being it had no plans to pursue the matter.

PI however does intend to take the case to the police.

"I don't see any alternative but for us to go to Scotland Yard," said Mr Davies.

The revelation that Google had collected such data led the German Information Commissioner¹⁰ to demand it handed over a hard-disk so it could examine exactly what it had collected.

It has not yet received the data and has extended the original deadline for it to be handed over.

The Australian police have also been ordered to investigate Google for possible breach¹¹ of privacy.