Archive | November, 2010
Group Claims Contradiction In Google Official’s Testimony
Consumer Watchdog, one of Google’s most persistent critics called on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday to hold a hearing into the firm’s Wi-Fi data collection controversy, citing a discrepancy in a Google official’s testimony on the matter during a Senate hearing in June.
Continue reading...FCC Picks Up Where FTC Left Off In Google Wi-Spy Case
11. November 2010
Two weeks after the Federal Trade Commission closed its investigation of online search giant Google’s Street View mapping project without taking action, another government agency is picking up where the FTC left off. Meanwhile, Consumer Watchdog on Thursday requested a congressional investigation and testimony under oath from Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Alma Whitten, the company’s director of privacy for engineering and product management.
Continue reading...Google employee’s misleading testimony prompts Consumer Watchdog to call for Wi-Spy hearing
11. November 2010
CEO Schmidt Should Go To Washington Under Oath
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today asked the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings into Google’s Wi-Spying because a ranking employee of the Internet giant gave testimony that contradicted known facts about the company’s massive privacy invasion.
Continue reading...What does Rep. Boucher’s fall mean for Internet privacy and Google?
3. November 2010
People who worry about online privacy and the intrusive practices of Internet companies like Google and Facebook are trying to figure out the impact of the election. One victim of the Republican juggernaut was a key Internet policy player, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. I don’t think his fall will slow the mounting drive to protect privacy. It will, however, mean one less pair of friendly ears on the Hill where Google lobbyists can whisper their policy goals.
Continue reading...Google dodges two bullets as Wi-Spy questions linger
3. November 2010
Google’s success at forging non-adversarial relationships with government regulators in the Anglo-American world is paying dividends for the Internet giant. Wednesday the British information commissioner in London declined to fine the Internet company for privacy violations in the United Kingdom for its Wi-Spying activities.
Continue reading...Google needs Chief Privacy Officer
1. November 2010
Google can to take one simple step to show that it cares about consumers’ privacy. The Internet giant simply needs to appoint a Chief Privacy Officer. Instead, in it’s latest bit of PR spin Google as it tried to deal with the fallout from the Wi-Spy scandal, the company has muddied the water with an executive structure that virtually assures to confuse and will ultimately fail.
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11. November 2010