Archive | April, 2011
News Clipping
Apple Finally Acknowledges Hidden Tracking File On iPhones
By Troy Wolverton , SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
“They’re trying to quell an understandable storm of concern,” said John Simpson, director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group. But he added, “It sounds like they’re going to continue doing a lot of stuff that is potentially problematic.”
News Clipping
Jobs, Apple Issue Complex Denial of iPhone Tracking
By Byron Acohido , USA TODAY
28. April 2011
“Apple needs to do a lot more to explain what it has been doing and why, and a good start would be for Steve Jobs to appear at the hearing,” says John Simpson, spokesman for Consumer Watchdog.
News Clipping
Legislators Eyeing Mobile Location-Based Data Collection Practices
By Chantal Tode , MOBILE MARKETER
26. April 2011
“No one has really understood the extent of the data collection going on with these spy phones,” said John M. Simpson, Washington-based director of nonprofit Consumer Watchdog’s privacy project. “Last week, it started to become clear just how much was going on.”
News Clipping
Smartphone Privacy Fears Raised
23. April 2011
Still, the report on Google’s data collection policy yesterday prompted advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, based in Washington, D.C., to ask for a law to ensure that phone users can choose not to be tracked. “These aren’t smartphones, they are spy phones,” said John Simpson, director of the group’s privacy project.
News Clipping
Calls Fly Over Phones’ Tracking
By Jeremy Herb , THE STAR TRIBUNE (MN)
23. April 2011
John M. Simpson, director of advocacy group Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, said this is the latest sign there should be an online “do not track” list. “These aren’t smartphones; they are spy phones,” Simpson said. “The mobile world is the Wild West of the Internet where these tech giants seem to think anything goes.”
Press Release
New Revelations of Google, Apple Smartphone Data Snooping Show Need For Do Not Track Me Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Says
CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-7041; or cell: 310-292-1902
22. April 2011
SANTA MONICA, CA – New details of how tech giants Google and Apple spy on users of their smartphones demonstrate the need for Do Not Track Me legislation that would cover mobile devices, Consumer Watchdog said today.
News Clipping
Smartphones Like Apple’s iPhone Hold Treasure Trove of Data on Users’ Lives
By Troy Wolverton & Patrick May, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
22. April 2011
“These aren’t smartphones — they are spy phones,” said John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project. “Consumers must have the right to control whether their data is gathered and how it is used. People don’t realize the absolute gold mine of data about their life that exists inside their smartphone,” he added. “There really needs to be an educational process started so that people will begin to understand that.”
News Clipping
Privacy Groups Urge Public to Push for Industry Adoption of Google Buzz Settlement Terms
By Jim Puzzanghera , LOS ANGELES TIMES TECHNOLOGY BLOG
21. April 2011
A coalition of leading privacy groups urged the public to push for industrywide adoption of the tough online data protection terms the government imposed on Google as part of a recent settlement of complaints about its Buzz social network. Google agreed to new measures to protect consumer data that include adopting a sweeping privacy policy and [...]
Press Release
As Americans Ponder Their Fair Share of Income Tax, Consumer Watchdog Urges No Tax Holiday for Global Giants Like Google That Use Dodgy Tax Avoidance Schemes
CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-7041; Jamie Court, 310-392-0522, ext 327; Carmen Balber, 202-629-3043
15. April 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – As average Americans focus today on their income tax bill, Consumer Watchdog called on President Obama and the chairmen of the House and Senate tax committees to block calls for a tax holiday that would unfairly benefit corporate giants like Google.
News Clipping
Google Email Bid Facing Hurdles
By David Sarno , THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
14. April 2011
In an internal memo first obtained by the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, the city in December said Google and its partner Computer Sciences Corp. repeatedly committed to and then missed deadlines to solve data security issues that were preventing the Los Angeles Police Department from moving onto Google’s system.
Press Release
Google’s Misrepresentations To Government About Cloud Computing Service Warrant House Oversight Committee Investigation, Consumer Watchdog Tells Congressman Issa
CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-7041; Jamie Court, 310-392-0522, ext 327; Carmen Balber, 202-629-3043
14. April 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today asked the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee to investigate Google’s misrepresentations about its “cloud computing” services as the Internet giant has tried to sell them to the federal government, as well as state and municipal governments.
News Clipping
Safari The Latest To Include “Do Not Track”
By Staff Writers , INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
14. April 2011
“We strongly believe that any privacy bill should direct the Federal Trade Commission to require and enforce a “Do Not Track Me” mechanism. Consumers should have the right to use the Internet and mobile devices with confidence that their privacy choices are respected, and with anonymity if they choose,” John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog president, wrote in a letter to Senators McCain and Kerry.
News Clipping
Will Google’s Legal Woes Define How Far It Crossed The Creepy Line?
By Ms. Smith , NETWORKWORLD.COM
14. April 2011
Consumer Watchdog’s scorecard is full of “evil” tally marks against Google. Some claim that Microsoft is spreading FUD, but legal woes facing Google seem to disagree that Google hasn’t crossed creepy line.
Video Player
Consumer Watchdog’s Carmen Balber discusses Internet privacy and the need for an online “Do Not Track Me” list.
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28. April 2011