Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog Praises Europe’s Planned Antitrust Charges Against Google

John M. Simpson

Group Says Action Should Benefit Americans After FTC’s Failure To Act Decisively

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today welcomed news reports that Europe’s competition authorities plan to file formal antitrust charges against Google on Wednesday and added that the action should benefit Americans after the Federal Trade Commission’s failure to take decisive action against the Internet giant.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Europe To File Antitrust Charges Against Google

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager to file formal charges against Google in the European Commission’s ongoing antitrust investigation of the Internet giant.

Child and Consumer Advocates Urge FTC to Investigate and Bring Action Against Google for Excessive and Deceptive Advertising Aimed at Children

John M. Simpson

So-called “Family-Friendly” YouTube Kids App Combines Commercials and Videos, Violating Long-Standing Safeguards for Protecting Children

Washington, DC – Consumer Watchdog has joined a coalition of prominent children’s and consumer advocacy groups that filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission today requesting an investigation of Google, charging the company with unfair and deceptive practices in connection with its new YouTube Kids app.

Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Senate Probe of FTC’s Google Antitrust Investigation; Public Interest Group Called For Inquiry After Newspaper Published Key Documents

John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON – Consumer Watchdog today welcomed plans by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) to examine the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust investigation of Google that was closed in 2013 without a lawsuit.

Consumer Watchdog Calls On FTC To Re-Open Its Google Investigation; Asks Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee To Hold Hearing On How Google Escaped Prosecution

John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON – Consumer Watchdog today called on the Federal Trade Commission to re-open its antitrust investigation of Google and urged the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee to hold a hearing probing how the Internet giant escaped prosecution for its anticompetitive practices.

Consumer Watchdog Cites Shortcomings In Driverless Car Technology; Says DMV Rules For Robot Cars Must Require Steering Wheel So Human Drivers Can Take Over

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today warned the California Department of Motor Vehicles that it must not allow Google and others with a vested interest in developing driverless vehicles to push the DMV into issuing rules regulating the public use of robot cars on highways that are inadequate to protect public safety.

Consumer Watchdog Backs Senate Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today backed the Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act, saying the legislation would require accountability and transparency for data brokers who collect and sell personal and sensitive information about consumers.

14 Consumer Groups Outline Shortcomings In White House Privacy Legislation; Letter To President Pledges To Work With Administration, Congress To Craft Strong Bill

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today joined 13 other public interest groups in a letter to President Obama outlining the shortcomings of the draft Consumer Privacy Bill Of Rights Act and pledging to work with the Administration and Congress to strengthen the bill.

Consumer Watchdog Calls On FCC Not To Back Down From Regulating Google And Other “Edge Provider” Connections To Internet In Wake Of Lobbying By Internet Giant

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Federal Communication Commission should protect consumer privacy and regulate connections between the Internet and so-called “edge providers,” like Google, when the agency begins regulating broadband service like a public utility, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Google Right To Be Forgotten Report Self-Serving Publicity Stunt, Consumer Watchdog Says; Group Says Privacy Right Should Be Adapted For United States, Not Just Europe

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – A Google-commissioned report advising that the Internet giant implement the right to be forgotten only in Europe is little more than a self-serving publicity stunt, Consumer Watchdog said today, adding that the important privacy protection should be implemented in the United States.