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The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) filed...

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) filed an amicus brief in late April -- released Thursday -- supporting Google’s March petition to the Supreme Court, which asked the court to rule on whether the U.S. District Court in San…

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Francisco was incorrect in finding Wi-Fi communications don’t fall under the Wiretap Act (CD April 3 p20). “The court of appeals erred, and absent review of its decision, information technology ('IT') professionals across the country will be left in legal limbo, uncertain whether standard practices they use every day to secure and optimize wireless infrastructure violate the Wiretap Act,” ITIF said (http://bit.ly/1mKhNVL). The petition stemmed from a number of lawsuits against Google relating to its practice of gathering data from unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, known as the “Wi-Spy” case. Google paid a $7 million settlement in March 2013 with dozens of states over the issue (http://1.usa.gov/ZjOI7I), but was later cleared by the Justice Department and FCC, according to Google’s petition (http://bit.ly/1gOObX4). “The Court should grant the petition and hold that an unsecured Wi-Fi communication is readily accessible to the general public,” ITIF said. “This conclusion would harmonize the Act’s treatment of old-world, traditional radio communications with its treatment of modern electronic communications."