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Blog Post
New book explains why you can’t trust Google
Posted by John M. Simpson
Nobody can doubt the pervasive influence Google has in our daily lives. For most people the Internet giant has become the primary gateway to the Web. No doubt many of its services are useful, but what is the real impact of a company whose audacious mission is ” to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful?” Scott Cleland has been doing some serious thinking about Google. His book, “Search & Destroy: Why You Can’t Trust Google Inc,” is the result.
Blog Post
France Fines Google Over Wi-Spy
Posted by John M. Simpson
21. March 2011
France’s privacy watchdog has just fined Google 100,000 euros ($142,000) as a result of the Internet giant’s Wi-Spy activities. It may not be a lot to a company whose worldwide annual sales are around $25 billion a year, but it’s the biggest fine the regulator has issued.
Blog Post
Cause For Concern About Washington’s Privacy Drive
Posted by John M. Simpson
16. March 2011
The Obama Administration threw its weight behind privacy legislation Wednesday as Assistant Commerce Secretary Lawrence Strickling testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about online privacy. Clearly Washington is focusing on privacy issues, but will meaningful consumer protections be enacted? There is cause for concern.
Blog Post
Congressmen Quickly Agree To Our Call For Google Hearings
Posted by John M. Simpson
24. February 2011
Concerned with the way Google was gathering social security numbers from children in connection with its “Doodle 4 Google” contest, I wrote to Reps. Ed Markey, D-MA, and Joe Barton, R-TX, calling for hearings in to the incident as well as a look at the Google Wi-Spy scandal. I sent the letter via email around noon today and later this afternoon in a joint statement the co-chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus agreed to schedule a hearing.
Blog Post
‘Dilbert’ Focuses On Online Privacy
Posted by John M. Simpson
15. February 2011
When an issue becomes the topic of a comic strip, you know it’s on the nation’s agenda. Online privacy crossed that threshold today in Scott Adams’ Dilbert.
Blog Post
Busy Time Ahead For Online Privacy
Posted by John M. Simpson
3. February 2011
Next week will be a busy one in Washington for online privacy as at least two bills are expected to be introduced in the House. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA, plans to offer a Do Not Track legislation and Rep. Bobby Rush, D- Il, is expected to re-introduce his online privacy bill. There’s activity outside Congress as well.
Blog Post
Google’s Search “Sting” Is Hypocritical
Posted by John M. Simpson
2. February 2011
Google is blasting rival Microsoft for copying its search engine results for use on Microsoft’s search service, Bing. Microsoft claims they did nothing wrong and that Google engaged in “a spy-novelesque stunt.”
Blog Post
Google’s DNT Function Is Deceptive
Posted by John M. Simpson
1. February 2011
The drive to create a “Do Not Track” mechanism to protect consumers’ online privacy as they surf the Web is gaining momentum. Companies like like Google, fearing the passage of necessary privacy laws, are scrambling to offer their versions on a voluntary basis.
Blog Post
Neither Sleet Nor Snow Stops Video Van
Posted by Carmen Balber
28. January 2011
Despite a six-hour commute home on what should have been a 20 minute drive after Wednesday’s snowstorm, our mobile ad truck braved the streets again in this morning’s flurries so “Mr. Schmidt Goes to Washington” could crash a “World Privacy Day” event at Google’s lobby shop in DC.
Blog Post
Google Faces Legal Woes Worldwide
Posted by John M. Simpson
14. January 2011
It’s been a tough week for Google as it faced legal challenges from around the world, the most prominent being that Department of Justice antitrust staff is preparing for the possibility of a suit to block the Internet giant’s acquisition of ITA.
Blog Post
Wi-Spying Broke South Korean Law; Multi-state Probe Continues
Posted by John M. Simpson
6. January 2011
South Korean police said Thursday that Google broke the country’s privacy laws when its Street View cars gathered personal information from private Wi-Fi networks. Meanwhile, in the United States, a spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen told me in a telephone call that the multi-state investigation into Wi-Spy is ongoing.
Blog Post
FTC Chairman Explains “Do Not Track”
Posted by John M. Simpson
4. January 2011
Federal Trade Chairman Jon Leibowitz, writing in U.S. News & World Report this week, offers one of the clearest explanations I’ve seen of why consumers need a Do Not Track Me function to protect their privacy as they surf the Web.
Blog Post
Ex-Googler Leaves The White House
Posted by John M. Simpson
23. December 2010
Former Google executive Andrew McLaughlin has resigned as Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, prompted at least in part, I think, by issues Consumer Watchdog raised.
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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8. May 2011
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