iirc there was speculation that the average android phone also does this. As google “mysteriously” knows your location given just the wifi networks in your proximity. Publicity is important here so consumers can make better decisions.

What to do with the structural recording of imagery (and now, also mapping location to wifi networks) in the regulatory sphere is a complex question. Should one be allowed to take a picture in public and store it? I believe so yes (very important for journalism, something that we would want more of in Xinjiang for instance).

Then we would also allow individuals to do this multiple times over.

Why should a business not have the same right? And if you ban google from doing this; what then stops anybody from creating a “decentralized” google streetview database?

What happens on the street (in public) is public. What you transmit into a public space using your wifi antenna might also be put into the same category.

Google is evil because it is (near) monopolistic in various areas (including navigation software) and thus one can’t make practical yet good consumer decisions anymore. I however don’t see much wrong with this specific activity of what you call “wardriving”. Please let me know if and why you don’t agree.