FCC to fine Google just $25,000 for blocking investigation

The Federal Communications Commission has recommended that Google be fined just $25,000 for allegedly blocking the FCC's investigation of Google's WiFi data storing policies.

An investigation into Google storing data from non-password protected WiFi networks by the Federal Communications Commission has resulted in the FCC recommending a tiny $25,000 fine be levied at Google. The Wall Street Journal reports that the FCC released its statement on their investigation and the small fine's amount late on Friday.

The FCC was looking into Google detecting and storing data from public and unlocked WiFi networks for use in its Street View feature in Google Maps. The investigation itself started in 2010. The FCC was trying to determine if Google was in violation of the government's rules against electronic eavesdropping. In the end, the FCC had concluded that there was not enough evidence to go after Google under those government regulations.

However, the FCC did say that during their investigation, Google "deliberately impeded and delayed" the agency's probe into the company's affairs. The basis for that comes from an unnamed Google engineer who worked on Street View. He invoked his Fifth Amendments rights and refused to testify to the FCC.

In a statement, Google said, "We worked in good faith to answer the FCC's questions throughout the inquiry, and we are pleased that they have concluded that we complied with the law."