Archive | October, 2010
Google Could Get Massive UK Privacy Fine Over WiSpy
In the US, Consumer Watchdog advocate John Simpson said it is difficult to trust Google because it keeps changing its story. “First they said they didn’t gather data; then they said they did, but it was only fragments; and today they finally admit entire e-mails and URLs were captured, as well as passwords,” said Simpson. “Maybe some Google executives are beginning to get it: Privacy matters. The reality, though, is that the company’s entire culture needs to change.”
Continue reading...British privacy watchdog gets tougher in Wi-Spy scandal
25. October 2010
The United Kingdom privacy watchdog has finally joined eighteen other nations in investigating Google for its Wi-Spying, the Internet giant’s clandestine acquisition of personal user information from wireless networks while taking photographs for its Street View mapping service.
Continue reading...‘We Failed Badly,’ Google Executive Admits
23. October 2010
Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit group that monitors Google’s privacy work, reacted with skepticism. “Maybe some Google executives are beginning to get it: privacy matters. The reality, though, is that the company’s entire culture needs to change, ” John Simpson, director of the group’s Inside Google Project, said in a statement.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Tells Google To Prove New Privacy Commitment — Changing Wi-Spy Story Makes It Difficult To Believe Measures Are Serious
22. October 2010
SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog welcomed three new steps Google said it is implementing to protect consumers’ privacy in response to the Wi-Spying scandal, but challenged the Internet giant to prove the measures are more than a public relations ploy.
Continue reading...Google’s PAC joins Republican bandwagon
22. October 2010
In a move that’s either deeply pragmatic or deeply cynical, Silicon Valley’s most openly pro-Democratic company shifted course this fall and gave more than half its political action committee donations to Republicans. Google Inc. NetPAC gave Republicans $57,500 between July and October, the group’s filing this week with the Federal Election Committee shows. That’s 55% of the $105,000 total contributions; Democrats received $47,500 or 45%.
Continue reading...Google Spends More Lobbying Congress
21. October 2010
For the first nine months of 2010, Google spent $3.92 million, approaching the $4.03 million the search giant spent wooing federal officials in all of 2009, Senate disclosure records show. “Google has a group of well-connected lobbyists and is willing to spend freely to influence federal lawmakers and regulators,” says John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Inside Google Project. “They appear to be on track to spend a total of $5 million to peddle influence this year.”
Continue reading...Google cuts billions from its taxes through complex overseas tax dodges
21. October 2010
Google Inc. has dodged $3.1 billion in taxes in the last three years, reports Jesse Drucker of Bloomberg, giving new meaning to CEO Eric Schmidt’s recent comment to analysts: “We love cash.” The question now is how much longer Goolge can continue to draw on its positive image as the “Don’t-Be-Evil” company.
Continue reading...Google increases spending on lobbying to $1.2 million
21. October 2010
SANTA MONICA, CA — Google increased its spending on lobbying 11 percent over the previous year to $1.2 million in the third quarter demonstrating the Internet giant’s willingness to spend to shape federal policy, Consumer Watchdog said today. In the comparable quarter a year ago Google spent $1.08 million. A key to Google’s lobbying effort is its well-connected Washington staff, the nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group said.
Continue reading...Google’s Wi-Spying broke Canadian law
19. October 2010
Google violated Canadian privacy laws when its Street View cars gathered data from private wireless networks, Canada’s privacy commissioner said on Tuesday. More important, the investigation found a company with a lackadaisical commitment to privacy among its engineers. Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart said the private data was gathered because of a ” a careless error – one that could easily have been avoided.”
Continue reading...Canadian Wi-Spy decision shows need for Congressional hearings
19. October 2010
SANTA MONICA, CA — The Canadian Privacy Commissioner’s announcement today that Google’s Wi-Spying with its Street View cars broke the law demonstrates the need for U.S. Congressional hearings into the scandal, Consumer Watchdog said. According to Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart: “Our investigation shows that Google did capture personal information – and, in some cases, highly sensitive personal information such as complete e-mails. This incident was a serious violation of Canadians’ privacy rights.
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25. October 2010