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Google Blamed for Mortgage Fraud
Consumer Watchdog has complained in a Feb. 8 letter to the Federal Trade Commission that Google and other search engines have not only been profiting by accepting deceptive advertising from fraudulent operators, but have also essentially been an accomplice in crime and should be made to stop “its harmful behavior.”
Continue reading...Speier Unveils ‘Do-Not-Track’ Online Privacy Bill
11. February 2011
Just a day after Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., rolled out his latest online privacy legislation, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., unveiled a package of bills Friday that includes a “do-not-track” requirement giving consumers the option to opt-out of being tracked while browsing online.
Continue reading...Online ‘Do Not Track’ Bill Introduced in House
11. February 2011
The bills were heralded by consumer groups, like Consumer Watchdog. “Consumers should have the right to choose if their private information – from shoe size, to health concerns, to religious beliefs – is collected, analyzed and profiled by companies tracking activities online,” said Carmen Balber, Washington director for Consumer Watchdog. “Do Not Track is the simple way for consumers to say ‘no thanks’ to being monitored while they surf the Web.”
Continue reading...Landmark “Do Not Track Me” Bill To Block Unwanted Spying on the Internet, Says Consumer Watchdog
11. February 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — “Do Not Track Me” legislation introduced in Congress today by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA, will let consumers block unwanted tracking of their information online, said the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog at a press conference today with the bill author and consumer and privacy advocates.
Continue reading...Web Users Concerned About Privacy on Google, Facebook. Will ‘Do Not Track’ Help?
10. February 2011
In a statement, Consumer Watchdog said the Gallup/USA Today poll underscores the need for “do not track” legislation. The group pointed to a poll it conducted last summer that found that 90 percent of the 1,000 people it polled wanted legislation to protect their online privacy, while another 80 percent supported “do not track.” Another 86 percent wanted a single button that would enable anonymous Web browsing.
Continue reading...Google Helps Mortgage Scammers Con Needy Homeowners, Study Finds
10. February 2011
Public advocacy group Consumer Watchdog says Google ads are helping mortgage relief fraudsters trick desperate homeowners, and has contacted the FTC to help make them stop.
Continue reading...New Study Shows How Google Aids Mortgage Rescue Ripoffs Prompting Consumer Watchdog To Call For FTC To Intervene
10. February 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — Google has become a leading purveyor of ads by scammers who prey on struggling homeowners, according to a study released today by Consumer Watchdog, and the nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group has asked the Federal Trade Commission to stop the Internet giant from hosting the ads.
Continue reading...Report: Privacy Worries Many Facebook, Google Users
9. February 2011
Ifmany of their users are worried specifically about privacy, Google and Facebook should support efforts to get the U.S. government to implement and enforce a “do not track” legislation and mechanism, Consumer Watchdog said in a statement in reaction to the survey.
Continue reading...USA Today/Gallup Poll Shows Need For “Do Not Track” Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Says As Rep. Jackie Speier Is Poised To Introduce Bill In Congress
9. February 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — A new USA Today/Gallup poll that found most Americans are worried about privacy and viruses when using Facebook or Google confirms an earlier poll by Consumer Watchdog and underscores the need for a Do Not Track mechanism to protect consumers online, the nonpartisan, nonprofit group said today.
Continue reading...Most Facebook, Google Users Worry About Privacy and Security
9. February 2011
Data flowing through the Web have translated into a candy store for criminals. It’s easier than ever for even low-skilled hackers to spread infections via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter postings and corrupted Google search results — and take full control of Web-connected PCs. And those risks are intensifying with rising use of smartphones and mobile devices to access the Web. “A smartphone is more appropriately called a spyphone,” says John Simpson, spokesman for Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit advocacy group. “The mobile world is like the wild west.”
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11. February 2011