Inside Google

Bikes, Pedestrians, Other Cars and Tree Branches Among Real-Road Scenarios Robot Cars Can’t Handle

John M. Simpson

Consumer Watchdog Backs California DMV’s Draft Robot Car Regulations Requiring A Driver Behind The Wheel

SACRAMENTO, CA – Consumer Watchdog today strongly endorsed the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ draft regulations for autonomous vehicles that require self-driving robot cars have a licensed driver behind the wheel capable of taking control, and a working steering wheel, gas pedal and brake.

Google’s 2015 Spending On Lobbying Tops $16 Million For Second Year, Leading 16 Tech And Communications Companies; Facebook, Amazon, Apple Post Records

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s federal lobbying expenses in 2015 topped $16 million for the second year in a row, according to records just filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and analyzed today by Consumer Watchdog.

Google’s Own Robot Car “Disengagement” Report Shows Need For Driver Behind Wheel, Consumer Watchdog Says; Group Calls for Release of Videos Of Incidents

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s just released report detailing when human drivers took control of a self-driving robot car being tested underscores the need – as required by California DMV draft regulations – for a driver behind a steering wheel of a self-driving car, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Don’t Be Fooled By Robot Car Hype At CES Gadget Show, Consumer Watchdog Warns

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumers and regulators should not be fooled by the autonomous vehicle hype coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Consumer Watchdog warned today.

News Clipping

New DMV Robot Car Rules Prioritize Safety; Follow Consumer Watchdog’s Call To Require Steering Wheel And Pedals; Privacy & Cybersecurity Also Addressed

By John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Draft regulations covering self-driving robot cars issued today by the California Department of Motor Vehicles incorporate a key safety provision advocated by Consumer Watchdog and require the robot cars to have a steering wheel and pedals and be occupied by a licensed driver capable of taking control of the vehicle.

Don’t Rush Robot Car Rules, Consumer Watchdog Tells Transportation Secretary Foxx

John M. Simpson

Put Focus On Enforceable Standards For Automated Technologies That Improve Safety
SANTA MONICA, CA – Self-driving robot cars are not ready for public use and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must not rush to implement regulations covering the vehicles as it updates its policy on automated vehicle technologies, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Consumer Watchdog Urges California DMV To Ignore Google’s Pressure, Continue Deliberate Pace To Act In Public Interest On Writing Robot Car Regulations

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to rebuff pressure from Google and continue at a deliberate pace to ensure regulations covering robot cars protect public safety.

Consumer Watchdog Vows To Press Case For Online Privacy At Google and Facebook After FCC Rejects Petition For Rules Covering Largest Online Companies

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – In the wake of the Federation Communication Commission’s denial of its petition seeking online privacy protections at online companies like Google and Facebook, Consumer Watchdog today vowed to press state regulators, Congress and the courts to better protect Internet users’ privacy.

Google Trims 3rd Quarter Lobbying To $3.65 Million But Still Leads 16 Tech Firms; Oracle, Amazon Outlays Soar As Facebook Posts 3rd Quarter Record $2.59 Million

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Google trimmed its 2015 third-quarter federal lobbying spending 7 percent to $3.65 million from $3.94 million in the comparable 2014 period, but still led lobbying expenditures among 16 technology and communications companies tracked by Consumer Watchdog.

Consumer Watchdog Tells DMV Police Must Investigate Robot Car Crashes

John M. Simpson

Crash Data And Video Should Be Provided To Department For Release To Public, Group Says

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to amend its Autonomous Vehicle Regulation to require that police investigate any crashes of robot cars being tested on public roads.

Google’s New Corporate Structure Changes Nothing About Company’s Impact On Consumers’ Privacy; It’s Still The Internet Giant, Consumer Watchdog Says

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s announcement today that it is creating a new holding company called “Alphabet” changes nothing about the company’s impact and challenges it poses for consumers, the nonprofit public interest group Consumer Watchdog said.

News Clipping

Consumer Watchdog Backs Consumer Privacy Protection Act Introduced By Rep. Cicilline

By John M. Simpson

Consumer Watchdog strongly supports the Consumer Privacy Protection Act introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. David N. Cicilline, D-RI, and co-sponsored by eleven other Democrats.

California DMV Changes Policy; Now Will Release Robot Car Accident Reports

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – The California Department of Motor Vehicles has reversed its policy and today said it would release accident reports about crashes involving self-driving cars that are being tested on public roads.