Inside Google

Google Will ‘Fight’ for AdMob Deal, Schmidt Says

Lora Bentley

Consumer Watchdog and Center for Digital Democracy were concerned more about the impact the deal would have on consumers’ ability to protect their privacy than the possible antitrust implications of the acquisition.

Google Faces Criminal Probe in Hamburg on Wi-Fi Data

Karin Matussek

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission received a letter on May 17 from Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica, California-based group that frequently criticizes Google, calling for an investigation into the Street View matter.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog’s Jamie Court and John M. Simpson introduce Inside Google

CONTACT: John M. Simpson

Consumer Watchdog Launches Inside Google Website To Focus Light on Internet Giant

John M. Simpson

Consumer Watchdog today formally launched its new Website, Inside Google, to focus attention on the company’s activities and hold Google accountable for its actions. The sites’ URL is http://insidegoogle.com.

White House Reprimands Deputy CTO for Emails with Former Colleagues at Google

Cecilia Kang

Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson said in a release: “McLaughlin received a mild slap on the wrist.” Simpson has called for McLaughlin’s resignation saying a technology expert, not a policy expert, should be in the position.

US Deputy CTO Gets Reprimand for Google Lobbying Contacts

Nate Anderson

What happens when Google’s former public policy director starts working in the White House—but continues to e-mail current Google lobbyists, and to take their e-mails? If you’re Consumer Watchdog, the answer is simple: he “should resign his position.”

Google Chief Eric Schmidt Downplays Wi-Fi Privacy Row

Jonathan Fildes

In the US, advocacy group the Consumer Watchdog has written to the Federal Trade Commission urging it to investigate Google. “Google has demonstrated a history of pushing the envelope and then apologizing when its overreach is discovered,” said John M Simpson, of the group. “Given its recent record of privacy abuses, there is absolutely no reason to trust anything the Internet giant claims about its data collection policies.”

Google Contacts Trigger Reprimand for Obama Aide, Official Says

Todd Shields

The White House released the e-mails following a request by Santa Monica, California-based Consumer Watchdog, which says it works to protect American consumers and taxpayers. “He’s got too many ties to influence-peddling and it’s clear that those ties haven’t been completely cut,” said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate with the group, in an interview. “What makes it particularly irksome is that Obama made such a big deal about ending the revolving door of lobbyists.”

White House Reprimands Ex-Googler After Consumer Watchdog FOIA Request

John M. Simpson

The White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Google’s former top global lobbyist, has been reprimanded for ethics violations that were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act Request from Consumer Watchdog.

FTC Likely to Examine Google’s Wireless Gaffe

Jessica E. Vascellaro

Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog said Monday it was sending the FTC a letter urging the agency to investigate the mishap. John Simpson, the group’s consumer advocate, said he was concerned that Google’s promise to get third-parties to review the software in question was insufficient.