Inside Google

Blog Post

Google ‘definitions’ offer interesting insight into Internet giant

Posted by John M. Simpson

Struggling to find the definition for a word? Simply type “define: XXXX”, where XXXX is the word you’re asking about, into Google’s search box. Over at the New Yorker in an article called “Don’t Be Evil,” Simon Rich notes Google’s ability to serve up definitions. Then he has a little fun.

Blog Post

Our letter to Eric Schmidt: Google shouldn’t care more about its own privacy than ours

Posted by Jamie Court

Google’s mission may be to open the world to information, but it is refusing to let our consumer group buy a search advertisement promoting wildly popular online animation that takes CEO Eric Schmidt to task over his statements about privacy issues. It seems the search giant cares a lot more about its own corporate privacy, than it does about its users’ privacy.

Blog Post

Google settles ‘Buzz’ suit; Texas opens antitrust probe

Posted by John M. Simpson

There were two major legal developments Friday involving Internet giant Google as the nation focused its attention on the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Both merit recapping, but unfortunately one is less of a victory for consumers than it might first appear. The other development could be a hint of huge problems to come for Google.

Blog Post

Google faces close DOJ scrutiny on ITA

Posted by John M. Simpson

Despite what the spinmeisters over at Google’s Public Policy Blog would have you believe, the Internet giant is facing tough scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice over its planned acquisition of ITA Software.

Blog Post

Expedia is worried about Google/ITA deal

Posted by Margot Williams

More fallout from Google’s proposed purchase of Internet advertising powerhouse ITA Software, which was announced earlier this month.

Blog Post

“Monopole” is French for Google

Posted by Margot Williams

Last week the French Competition Authority officially declared Google a monopoly. Said the NYT: “That conclusion is hardly novel, but the decision appears to go beyond any previous official ruling in the United States or elsewhere.”

Blog Post

Double Trouble for Google

Posted by Margot Williams

Twice in the past week, Google has come in contact with Europe’s rather different culture of competition and privacy, leaving Mountain View contemplating investigations and negotiations it would have preferred to avoid.

Blog Post

Google’s travel plans prompt dominance concerns

Posted by Margot Williams

Google’s purchase of a leading travel software company last week has competitors worried and antitrust regulators on alert.

Blog Post

Top trustbuster says DOJ watching search industry

Posted by John M. Simpson

The U.S. Justice Department is paying close attention to the Internet search industry now dominated by Internet giant, Google, according to Assistant Attorney General Christine. Varney, the nation’s top trustbuster, gave the keynote speech last week to the American Antitrust Institute’s 11th Annual Convention in Washington, DC. I was there and took the opportunity to ask her what government policy should be if online search naturally tends to become a monopoly.

Press Release

Google using search engine to muscle into Internet businesses, study finds

CONTACT: John M. Simpson

Google has been using its dominant position in online search to muscle its way into other Internet businesses, ultimately limiting consumer choice, Consumer Watchdog said today in a report written for its new Inside Google Website.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Says FTC’s Google-AdMob Decision Will Hurt Consumers

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-0522, x317; or 310-292-1902

The Federal Trade Commission’s decision allowing the $750 million deal for Google to buy mobile advertising company AdMob is anticompetitive and bad for consumers, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Consumer Watchdog’s Jamie Court and John M. Simpson introduce Inside Google

John M. Simpson

Blog Post

Congressmen question proposed AdMob deal

Posted by John M. Simpson

Google’s controversial $750 million deal to buy mobile advertising company AdMob has raised more doubts, this time from Capitol Hill.