Back in April of this year, Google was busted using their Google Street View cars to collect Wi-Fi data from areas they passed through. Google initially stated they only collected publicly available SSID and MAC Address data -- then later acknowledged that they were collecting snippets of actual transmitted data -- though Google insisted they did so accidentally, and only from unsecured hotspots. Several studies subsequently found that not a whole lot of useful data was collected, given collection vehicles automatically changed channels roughly five times a second -- and also faced physical obstacles and interference.

Given Google CEO Eric Schmidt's love of creepy statements and sometimes-justified paranoia concerning Google power, the company found itself facing inquiries in dozens of countries over the admitted screw up. Here in the States however, the FTC has sent a letter (pdf) to Google attorneys this week saying they're closing their investigation into the matter. The FTC had concerns about Google's obliviousness, but those concerns have apparently faded:Letting things sit isn't too surprising for an FTC that came on watch promising significant new online privacy rules but hasn't moved much in that direction. That said, Google has at least clearly admitted error, deleted the data (which wasn't of much use anyway), and claims to have reformed internal procedures to help prevent further screw ups of this nature.