Every WiFi wireless router – the device that links most computer owners to the internet - in every home has been entered into a Google database.
The information was collected by radio aerials on their Street View cars, which have now photographed almost every home in the country.
The data is then used on Google's Maps for Mobile application to locate mobile phones such as iPhones in order for users to access information relevant to the area such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, shops and hotels.
The project had remained secret until an inquiry in Germany earlier this month in which Google was forced to admit that it “mistakenly” downloaded data packets, which may have included fragments of emails and other data, from unsecured wireless networks where they were not protected by a password.
Google points out that other companies have already mapped wireless networks, notably a company called Skyhook Wireless which has a contract with Apple, manufacturers of the iPhone.
Google say the information, which lists the networks’ MAC (Media Access Control) address and SSID (Service Set-ID) number, but not their house number, is publicly available because the wireless network signals extend beyond the property in which they are located.
Google has now suspended the use of Street View cars across the world – but their work in Britain is already complete.
They said last week that they had not notified data protection authorities because “we did not think it was necessary” but they added: “It’s clear with hindsight that greater transparency would have been better.”
A number of authorities, including those in Britain and the US, have asked Google to retain the downloaded emails pending a full inquiry but it is unclear what their obligations are concerning the WiFi data.
Privacy campaigners claim that there has been a breakdown in regulation.
A spokesman for Privacy International said: “The ghost of Street View continues to haunt Google.
“We think it will historically be viewed as a horrendous breach of law and something which a better regulator with a better understanding of the issues and the technology would never have allowed to happen.
“There should be a parliamentary inquiry which should question Google and finally get it to explain what it is up to both technically and commercially.
“The idea that it can log everyone’s wi-fi details because it is all ‘public’ is a bogus argument. It is bogus because of the question of scale and the question of integration with other information which would amount to a huge breach of our privacy.”
A spokesman for the Information Commissioner’s Office said: “We are aware that the collection of information by Google Street View cars has raised a number of issues which we are considering.
“All organisations that process personal information must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
“Organisations are only permitted to collect data for a specific purpose. Similarly, organisations must only retain data for as long as necessary.
“If we find evidence of significant wrongdoing, we will of course investigate and consider what action should be taken.”
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