A federal judge has refused Google’s plea to dismiss several class-action lawsuits accusing the Internet search giant of illegally collecting online information from unencrypted wireless networks while working on its “Street View” map feature. Google has acknowledged that its fleet of specialized “S
treet View” vehicles inadvertently gathered about 600 gigabytes of Wi-Fi data in more than 30 countries while photographing neighborhoods. The company apologized and said it never used the data. It argues it did nothing illegal because the Wi-Fi data was publicly available. A District Court judge rejected that argument Wednesday, saying Internet data transmitted wirelessly have the same privacy protections as cell phone conversations.
Geithner to stay for ‘foreseeable future’
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says he’s staying put at the Treasury Department for the “foreseeable future,” addressing speculation he might leave the Obama administration following budget negotiations. He made the remarks Thursday when asked about his plans by former President Bill Clinton onstage at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Earlier Thursday, a person familiar with Geithner’s thinking told The Associated Press that Geithner saw an opening to leave once a deal was reached on raising the nation’s borrowing limit. The source emphasized no decisions had been made.
Anderson Paper buys Lynnwood’s Kaizen
Anderson Paper and Packaging is buying Lynnwood’s Kaizen Packaging Inc. Troy Leis of Kaizen Packaging Inc. specialized in packaging supplies wholesale distribution in the Northwest for over 15 years. Leis will join Ferndale-based Anderson Paper as an account manager to assist in expanding Anderson Paper’s packaging division. Anderson’s product portfolio includes paper, packaging, janitorial, safety and office supplies and equipment. Founded in 1992, Anderson provides service throughout the Pacific Northwest from Tacoma to Western Canada.
Reports say FTC investigating Twitter
Federal regulators are looking into the interactions between Twitter and a company called Ubermedia, which develops applications that allow users to follow and communicate with each other on Twitter’s popular online messaging service, according to two published reports. The Federal Trade Commission inquiry is still at a preliminary stage and the focus remains unclear, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Another blog said FTC antitrust investigators are studying how Twitter deals with outside companies that build applications for its messaging platform — such as photo-sharing and ad services. The FTC and Twitter declined comment. Ubermedia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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