Google last week started getting heat from the German Government, who suddenly realized that for some time the Google Street View vehicles have been collecting publicly available hotspot details (SSID and hotspot MAC address) as they drive around photographing streets. Some European lawmakers had already forced Google to blur the faces of any people photographed, and now Germany's privacy watchdog has created a new wave of hysteria over what Google's doing with that Wi-Fi data.

Countless articles popped up this week simply assuming Google was using this collection of too-clever-by-far Linksys network names for something nefarious -- perhaps to either take over the world -- or watch you nap (amazingly none of these articles were able to actually say). Google themselves quickly responded with a European blog post highlighting that the information was primarily used for GPS triangulation and general localization services:Google goes on to note that the information is not published, doesn't help them identify or track specific individuals (outside of router brand preference and SSID humor), and isn't being used to covertly watch you tend to your azaleas. Of course Google needs to be transparent about how they're using this data -- but so far they seem to be very clear in government filings (pdf) about what they're doing. Of course keep in mind what they're doing is no different than what a number of other companies (like Skyhook Wireless) have been doing for years.

Still, for those under the illusion that privacy still even really exists and terrified of what Google's doing simply because Google's huge -- you can still turn off your SSID or change your MAC address occasionally. That or move to the mountains and join that electromagnetically-sensitive militia you've always had your eye on?