NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three Nashvillians are involved in a lawsuit against a popular Web site that is accused of breaking federal and state laws.
Brian Manookian of Giddeon Cooper told Nashville's News 2 he has been contacted by several Nashville residents to pursue a lawsuit against Google.
According to the lawyer, Google is accused of breaking federal and state laws from 2007 to 2010 when the Internet giant used a vehicle equipped with a camera on top to collect images for Google maps street views.
However, the software used downloaded personal information from residents and businesses that were using an open network.
"[It's] the most significant invasion of privacy suit that we've seen," Manookian said.
He continued, "I think the majority of people would agree that street view is an incredible useful service, but when you go beyond mapping publicly available images to actually impending on someone's wireless network then downloading information packets, that's wrong and illegal."
The Nashville lawyer said the three plaintiffs were referred to other lawyers.
Wes Hartline is one of the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit.
He told Nashville's News 2 he was employed by two healthcare companies during part of the time the Google cars were on the streets, where personal medical files may have been downloaded.
"The concern is even one person's file getting out, that a violation that's a concern of mine, but also for many people that work in this city. It's the healthcare capitol of the world," he said.
Google has since said they no longer download information and will not use the information it has.
The company has asked a judge to dismiss the charges, but the request was declined.
