RSS feed for this sectionArchive | View All
Busy Time Ahead For Online Privacy
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.
Continue reading...Is Google’s Copying Complaint Fair or Hypocritical?
2. February 2011
When involved in a spat over allegations of unauthorized copying or misappropriation of content and ideas, Google — fairly or not — usually plays the villain… “Google’s complaint is the height of hypocrisy. The company’s entire business model is built on the use of other people’s content usually without bothering to seek permission,” said John Simpson, from Consumer Watchdog’s Inside Google research team.
Continue reading...Analysis: Consumer Watchdog’s Complaints Against Google
1. February 2011
Consumer Watchdog has taken their public war of words with Google to a whole new level. The group’s recent 32-page report generates complaints that suggest Google is benefitting from US corporatism.
Continue reading...Watchdog Group Questions Google’s Relationship with NSA
1. February 2011
Google is in hot water again — or it will be if Consumer Watchdog can persuade the public to ask Congress to take action over the Google “Wi-Spy scandal.” Additionally, Consumer Watchdog published a report, Lost in the Cloud: Google and the US Government, that highlights Google’s relationship with NSA and claims the search giant has also “inappropriately benefited” from close and secretive relationships with other government agencies.
Continue reading...Watchdog Demands Transparency on Google’s Million Dollar Lobbying
1. February 2011
Google has been called on to give greater transparency to its lobbying in Washington following its refusal to release details from a presentation that seeks to persuade governmental policy makers and regulators of its compliance to competitiveness rules. Consumer Watchdog, which describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consumer advocacy organization, has called for the 89-page presentation, which will be shown during a forthcoming meeting, to be made public.
Continue reading...Google Spent More on Lobbyists in 2010 Than Yahoo, Facebook & Apple Combined
31. January 2011
Google’s increasing monetary dedication to influencing policy decisions worries some privacy advocates who oppose the company’s policies. “It’s a huge increase and shows that Google has become a high-stakes influence peddler throwing its weight around Washington like the rest of corporate America,” says John Simpson, a privacy advocate with Consumer Watchdog, a group that regularly opposes Google’s decisions.
Continue reading...Google Won’t Be Taken To Court Over Data Gather
31. January 2011
Consumer Watchdog, a group which has been highly critical of Google’s privacy practices, condemned the agreement to settle the issue through negotiations and called for congressional hearings on the subject.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Calls On Google To End Secrecy As Lobbying Hits $5.2 Million
31. January 2011
SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today called on Google to end the secrecy surrounding its lobbying efforts in Washington after the Internet giant refused to release an 89-page presentation it is showing to policymakers and regulators in the nation’s capital. The call came as the Internet giant’s lobbying spending soared to $5.2 million in 2010 from $4.03 million in 2009.
Continue reading...Google Reaches Agreement With Connecticut AG Over Wi-Spy
30. January 2011
Frequent Google critic Consumer Watchdog blasted the announcement and repeated its call for outgoing Google CEO Eric Schmidt to explain the incident to lawmakers. “The details of the biggest privacy breach in history shouldn’t be settled in secret,” said John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Inside Google Project. “This makes it clear why Google CEO Eric Schmidt needs to testify under oath before Congress about Wi-Spy.”
Continue reading...Google to Settle State ‘Wi-Spy’ Spat Out of Court
29. January 2011
Consumer Watchdog decried today’s agreement between Google and the state. “The details of the biggest privacy breach in history shouldn’t be settled in secret,” said John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Inside Google Project. “This makes it clear why Google CEO Eric Schmidt needs to testify under oath before Congress about Wi-Spy.”
Continue reading...
3. February 2011