Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog Praises FTC For Requiring Privacy Audits For Google, But Says Fines And Further Action Required

John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog praised the Federal Trade Commission for requiring Google to submit to privacy audits for the next twenty years, but said the Internet giant should also face monetary penalties for its abuses. The nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group also called for government action to curtail Google’s anti-competitive practices.

Is Google’s Book Setback A Win For Consumers?

Quentin Fottrell

Google hasn’t exactly made life easy for itself by already scanning millions of books. John M. Simpson, director of the privacy project for the non-profit California-based Consumer Watchdog group, supports the digitization of the world’s books, but says, “Google’s entire business model is to never ask permission, but to seek forgiveness if necessary. Judge Chin has ruled simply that you can’t take other people’s property and use it without asking.”

Judge Echoes Google Critics In Digital Book Ruling

Michael Liedtke

“Google has built a monopoly in search, and having a monopoly isn’t necessarily illegal,” said John Simpson, a frequent Google critic who has been following the company’s business practices for the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog. “The question is once you are in a monopoly position, how do you use it? I think Google has repeatedly abused it, and that come out in this decision.”

Consumer Watchdog Praises Judge For Blocking Google Books Deal

John M. Simpson

Decision Sends Message Google Must Ask Permission Before Using Others’ Property

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog praised Federal Judge Denny Chin today for rejecting the Google Books settlement and added that Google should finally learn it cannot usurp and exploit other people’s work and information without first asking permission. The decision also raised serious antitrust issues, the nonpartisan, nonprofit group noted.

US Judge Rejects Deal For Google Digital Book Plan

Charlotte Raab

John Simpson of settlement opponent Consumer Watchdog said the ruling “should send the message to the engineers at the Googleplex that the next time they want to use someone’s intellectual property, they need to ask permission.”

Eric Schmidt Closing In On Top Commerce Job?

Hayley Tsukayama

Consumer Watchdog, well-known for its opposition of Google — and Schmidt in particular — issued a release Thursday in opposition to a possible appointment. The group also sent a letter to Obama asking him not to nominate Schmidt for the position. “Putting Eric Schmidt in charge of policing online privacy is like appointing Bernie Madoff to direct the Securities Exchange Commission,” the release said.

Consumer Group: Google CEO Not Good For Commerce Post

Gautham Nagesh

Frequent Google critic Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to the White House on Thursday blasting reports that outgoing Google chief executive Eric Schmidt is being considered to replace Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

Consumer Watchdog To President Obama: Tapping Google CEO For Commerce Secretary, Obama’s Voice On Privacy, Is Like Appointing Madoff To Head SEC

Jamie Court

Washington, DC — Consumer Watchdog warned President Obama in a letter today about the dire consequences for consumers worldwide of appointing Google CEO Eric Schmidt Commerce Secretary.

Cause For Concern About Washington’s Privacy Drive

John M. Simpson

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.

Google Feels Heat On Shady Ads

John M. Simpson

It took a lawsuit from Rosetta Stone, the language software company, and a Congressional hearing, but Google apparently has finally been embarrassed into taking responsibility for policing some shady ads on its search engine site.