It is investigating Internet search giant Google for possible privacy violations while taking pictures for its Street View service, Australia has said.

The BBC reported on Sunday that the country's attorney general said he ordered police to investigate complaints that Google allegedly gathered personal data from some unencrypted WiFi services while gathering the visuals for its mapping service.

Google vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras, while gathering pictures for Street View, collected private wireless data at the same time, said Attorney General Robert McClelland.

The BBC further said that Google has admitted the recording of the data but says it was unintentional and has apologized.

It will cooperate with the investigation, the company has said.

There have been a number of complaints from the public about Google's actions, McClelland said.

The BBC has also reported that Australian law prohibits people from intercepting electronic communications for unauthorized purposes. (With Inputs from Agencies)