France’s data privacy regulator has fined Google for a record 100,000 euros ($142,000) over private information the search engine giant collected during its Street View panoramic project.

Google launched the Street View service in 2007 to provide interactive panoramas of major cities around the world. Google admitted last year that aside from photos, its specially equipped collection cars had also mistakenly picked up Wi-Fi data, including passwords and e-mails sent over unprotected internet connections.

France’s privacy regulator said the fine was filed to combat the “unfair collection” of private information that Google may have used for financial gain.

In response to the fines, Google once again denied any economic benefits from the acquired information and issued another apology for the mistake.

Source: AP