Now Google is threatened with criminal action over Street View data theft

Google had previously pledged to destroy all data collected in this manner - but admitted last year that it had "accidentally" retained the additional discs

Then Google will likely just delete the data since it only needs MAC addresses and SSIDs.

The UK has laws, in statute and case. Google operates in the UK. Google should ensure that they obey the laws of the land that they operate in.

It does not matter that you think the law is stupid or wrong. Obey it; campaign to change it; or just don't operate here.

IT's a pretty weird case, but Google isn't particularly bad here. A few people had a dumb idea and followed through; there wasn't suitable oversight to say "this idea is dumb and probably illegal. Don't do it". They appear to be trying to do the right thing, even if it's tricky. (Finding hard discs at google is possible like finding a needle in a big bucket of needles.)

I agree that "data theft" is a stupid term. But that's what happens when people link to god-awful UK "news"papers like the mail, mirror, sun, express, etc.