A disgruntled ex-employee of a wireless communications company has been convicted after Google Search records showed that he used the search engine to find information on disrupting the company’s systems.
Matthew Schuster began work as a computer technician for Alpha Computer Services in Wausau, Wisconsin in 2000. Schuster provided technical support for a wireless Internet system called CWWIS and also was a paying subscriber to CWWIS for his home.
However, after being fired in May 2003, he used customer information to hack into the wireless network to ensure he had free access to it.
He additionally used Google to search for information on disrupting wireless systems. Searches which were provided in court as part of the prosecution.
It’s probable in this instance that service records from Alpha Computer Service were used, which showed user behavior and searches on their network.
However, it does demonstrate increasing concern over privacy issues, not least the fact that search engines such as Google can assign personal names to recorded behavior, if subscribed to their services.
A recent CNET report on privacy also showed Google do receive requests for personal information from legal authorities but refuses to provide any information on how this may be used.
Overall, it continues to raise tensions that ISP’s are collecting far too much personally-identifiable data, which may work against individual privacy concerns.
August 20th, 2008
2 Comments at "Google Search convicts hacker"
Information is free, and anyone has the right to search. I don’t understand how that can be used as evidence in court.
Information isn’t illegal, it’s what people do with it that causes issues I think.
I’m very concerned with individual privacy and that’s why I’m a supporter of the EFF.
I agree information and searching should be free, but I don’t like the power and control that a lot of ISP’s are taking on now and this is just the beginning it seems.
2007 will be an interesting year for individual privacy concerns for sure.
Comment Now!