A House of Commons committee says the privacy of Canadians is being protected by online mapping applications like Google Maps, Winnipeg Free Press reports. The committee has been examining efforts by companies that build online maps using real pictures of homes and streets, such as Google and Canpages, the report states, and says both companies' policies about notifying individuals of filming and blurring identifying information are sufficient. Following Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart's investigation and subsequent recommendations about Google Street View cars' accidental collection of WiFi data, MPs now say they are "cautiously optimistic" that Google is taking privacy more seriously since it hired a privacy director and introduced employee training. Stoddart had said today was Google's deadline for compliance. The committee, however, said it has concerns about companies not considering privacy in the development phase of new technologies.
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