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Google To Pay Arkansas For Violating Privacy

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office announced Tuesday a $7 million settlement has been reached with internet search giant Google over allegations it collected data from unsecured wireless networks.

The AG’s office says the information was collected by Google’s Street View cars, which took images for geolocation services.

Google acknowledges information gathered may have included addresses of requested web pages, email communications, as well as confidential or private information transmitted as the Google Street View cars were passing.

"No company should violate an individual's privacy rights by collecting information without their permission," said Attorney General Dustin McDaniel in a press release.

Google will pay Arkansas, 38 other states and the District of Columbia $7 million dollars.  Arkansas' cut of that comes to nearly $115,000.

Michael Hibblen was a journalist for KUAR News from May 2009 — December 2022. During his final 10 years with the station, he served as News Director. In January 2023, he was hired by Arkansas PBS to become its Senior Producer/ Director of Public Affairs.