Inside Google

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Backs Call for Congressional Hearing on Google’s WiSpy Snooping

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , (310) 392-0522, ext 317; or cell: (310) 292-1902

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today praised three Congressmen for releasing Google’s purported explanation of its three-year WiSpy snooping and endorsed a call for a Congressional hearing about the incident. Consumer Watchdog also called for the Federal Communications Commission to investigate.

Blog Post

Google struggles to defend Apps security

Posted by Margot Williams

Google’s recent release of a white paper on its security policies and technologies for Google Apps is notable for its effort to assure users and potential customers that the information stored by Google is safe. And perceptions about the Internet giant’s security are key to its future.

Blog Post

Closing Windows: Was it about security or the money?

Posted by Margot Williams

Last month, The Financial Times reported that Google was blaming Microsoft software vulnerability for the multinational cyber attack it encountered earlier this year. In response, unnamed Google employees said, the company was phasing out the Windows operating system at the company. But, maybe it’s about the money.

News Clipping

Ten Consumer Advocate Groups Ask Congress to Strengthen Privacy Bill

By Giselle Tsirulnik , MOBILE MARKETER

“The problem is that the bill relies too much on the idea of ‘notice and consent,’ which really hasn’t worked,” said John M. Simpson, a consumer advocate at Consumer Watchdog, Washington. “It also pre-empts stronger state laws and does not allow private action suits. These provisions are extremely unfriendly for consumers.

Blog Post

Standing up to Google’s heavy-handed pressure

Posted by John M. Simpson

I was in Washington, DC, last week to attend EPIC’s Champion of Freedom Awards Dinner. One honoree in particular prompted the cross-country trip: The Rose Foundation and how it stood up to Internet giant Google.

News Clipping

Watchdog Says Google Has ‘Microsoft-like Monopoly’ in Key Web Areas

By Gautham Nagesh , THE HILL.COM -- HILLICON VALLEY BLOG

“Google claims that its search is neutral,” said John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog. “This study shows that it’s not and demonstrates the damaging impact Google’s unfair practices have had on competitors.”

Press Release

Ten Privacy and Consumer Groups Ask Congressional Leaders to Strengthen Privacy Bill

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-292-1902

In response to a discussion draft of a new privacy bill currently under consideration by the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, ten leading privacy and consumer organizations today called for much stronger provisions to protect consumer privacy both online and off.

News Clipping

Should Silicon Valley Be Worried About a Backlash?

By Chris OBrien , THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

Just last week, Consumer Watchdog released a report claiming Google abuses its dominance of search to steer users to its other products. The revelation that the Google Street View team in Europe had “accidentally” collected large amounts of personal user data through Wi-Fi connections certainly hasn’t helped.

Blog Post

A graphic display of what Google knows

Posted by John M. Simpson

Every wonder how much information Google has gathered? Scott Cleland, publisher of the Website GoogleMonitor.com, has pulled together a snappy one-page graphic, “Google’s ‘Total Information Awareness’ Power,” that answers the question.

News Clipping

Missouri AG Looks Into Google Wi-Fi Mess

By Robert McMillan , COMPUTERWORLD

Consumer advocate John Simpson said he was happy to see Missouri asking for an explanation. “Google’s … operation compromised consumers’ privacy in the very heartland of America,” said Simpson, an advocate with California’s Consumer Watchdog, in an e-mail message. “The Internet giant needs to be held accountable.”

Blog Post

New Google option: look like Bing home page

Posted by Margot Williams

Google is known for the “clean simple look” of its home page at Google.com. Bing has earned praise for the gorgeous photos changing daily on the Bing home page, stocked by Microsoft’s Corbis imagery.

Now Google has announced that you will be able to clutter up your Google.com page with a photo too.

Blog Post

Personalized search: Searching in a Bubble?

Posted by Margot Williams

My Google search results are looking too familiar. Looking for something new on the web for a topic of continuing interest, I enter some familiar terms. The same old sites keep turning up. OK, so Google is returning the most relevant results, based on the Google algorithm. Why do they seem so stale?

Press Release

Consumer Groups Call on FTC to Investigate Latest Google Ad Company Purchase

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-292-1902; or Jeff Chester, 202-494-7100

Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Digital Democracy today called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google’s announced plan to buy Invite Media, a display advertising company, for around $70 million, saying the deal raises substantial competitive and privacy concerns.