Archive | April, 2011
California Lawmaker Touts Do-Not-Track Bill
In December, the FTC recommended that the technology industry create a do-no-track tool for Web users. In the following months, Google, Mozilla and Microsoft all announced do-not-track features in their browsers. Those browsers offer simple ways for Web users to opt out of tracking efforts, said John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s privacy director.
Continue reading...California Introduces Do-Not-Track Bill, May Set U.S. Standard
4. April 2011
The legislation would require businesses to “provide a consumer in California with a method to opt out” of the “collection, use and storage” of consumer information, the bill states. It also gives the California Attorney General and the California Office of Privacy Protection the authority to “develop and enforce do-not-track regulations,” according to a press release issued today by Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group.
Continue reading...Feds Probe Privacy Violations Involving Smartphone App Data
4. April 2011
“I don’t think the average consumer has any idea that what most people consider smartphones are nothing more than spy phones,” said John Simpson, director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...Do-Not-Track Bill Introduced In California
4. April 2011
The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, which is sponsoring Lowenthal’s bill, says that if it is enacted, California would become the first state to give people the right to eschew online tracking.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Unveils California “Do Not Track Me” Plan & Challenges Google’s CEO Page, On First Day, To Prove Company’s New Direction By Supporting Privacy Plan
4. April 2011
SACRAMENTO, CA – Consumer Watchdog unveiled new landmark California legislation to allow consumers in the state to stop unwanted online tracking and, in a letter, challenged Google CEO Larry Page, in his first day on the job, to support the “Do Not Track Me” plan and demonstrate Google is moving in a new direction. The bill, SB 761, was introduced by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D- Long Beach, and sponsored by Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Challenges New Google Chief To Support Do-Not-Track
4. April 2011
The privacy group Consumer Watchdog is challenging Google to improve its privacy standards as the company undergoes a regime change in its top office. On Larry Page’s first day as chief executive, the watchdog asked him to support a Do-Not-Track regime for Internet privacy outlined in a California state bill.
Continue reading...Google “Wi-Spy” Controversy Rages On, Raises More Questions
1. April 2011
Consumer groups, however, were far from satisfied with the FTC’s conclusion or with Google’s apology. John Simpson, the director of the Inside Google project at the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, accused Google of getting a free pass from the government and pressed for further investigation and recourse for the company.
Continue reading...Google Privacy Settlement Unlikely To Cause Big Change
1. April 2011
Consumer Watchdog, for one, believes the settlement falls short of its goal because it lacks bite. “We appreciate this landmark privacy decision by the FTC, but Google needs to be punished and feel pain on its bottom line,” John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project director, said in a statement. “Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users’ privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts.”
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4. April 2011