Microsoft Curbs Wi-Fi Location Database 69
suraj.sun writes "Microsoft has ceased publishing the estimated locations of millions of laptops, cell phones, and other devices with Wi-Fi connections around the world after a CNET article on Friday highlighted privacy concerns. The decision to rework Live.com's geolocation service comes following scrutiny of the way Microsoft made available its database assembled by both Windows Phone 7 phones and what the company calls 'managed driving' by Street View-like vehicles that record Wi-Fi signals accessible from public roads. Every Wi-Fi device has a unique ID, sometimes called a MAC address, that cannot normally be changed."
Re:Published? (Score:2, Interesting)
"Microsoft has collected ... and makes them available on the Web without taking the privacy precautions that competitors have"
"Unlike Google and Skyhook Wireless, which have compiled similar lists of these unique Wi-Fi addresses, Microsoft has not taken any measures to curb access to its database"
"Google tightened controls last month in response to a June 15 CNET article"
"Skyhook uses a limited form of geolocation to protect privacy"