Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog poll finds concern about Google’s Wi-Spy snooping

John M. Simpson

Americans Favor Broad Range Of Online Privacy Protections for Consumers

SANTA MONICA, CA — A significant majority of Americans are troubled by recent revelations that Google’s Street View cars gathered communications from home WiFi networks, and they want stronger legal protection to preserve their online privacy, according to a national opinion poll released today by Consumer Watchdog.

Google blows deadline for Los Angeles email switch; can’t meet LAPD needs

John M. Simpson

Google has blown the deadline to move the City of Los Angeles’ email system and other applications to the Internet Giant’s highly-touted cloud computing system because it hasn’t been able to meet the security requirements of Los Angeles Police Department.

Google’s wind power

Margot Williams

Google’s purchase of twenty years worth of renewable energy from an Iowa wind farm is more of a business decision than Google.org’s philanthropic investments in clean energy. But last week’s announcement, contrary to some blogosphere reaction, does not make Mountain View a competitor in the energy sector.

Google Misses Deadline for L.A. City E-mail System

David Sarno

Google Inc. has missed the deadline on its high-profile contract to take over Los Angeles’ e-mail system, leaving nearly 20,000 city employees on an aging system that the city is paying the Internet search giant $7.25 million to replace.

House Dems Block White House Witness in Google Email Breach

Alana Goodman

At the hearing, a consumer watchdog testified that he believed the White House was too cozy with Google, and the company’s lobbying interests. “I do think that Google specifically has perhaps too close a relationship with the government,” said John Simpson, director of the Stem Cell Project. “I think Mr. McLaughlin’s appointment is one of those ties that are inappropriate.”

Web 2.0 hearing overshadowed by politics; Simpson calls for Wi-Spy probe

Khan Shoieb

Consumer Watchdog’s John M. Simpson testified at a hearing yesterday on federal agency use of Web 2.0 technology, but the hearing got off to a rocky start when Ranking Member Patrick McHenry (R-NC) opted for a procedural gimmick and even introduced a motion to adjourn the hearing before the witnesses were able to testify.

Is National Security Behind Google’s Wi-Fi Spying?

John R. Quain

“Is there some relationship between Google and the NSA (National Security Agency)?” asked Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. “Was this data shared with intelligence agencies in America? It’s a question. We just want a straight answer.”

Consumer Watchdog Repeats Request for Google Wi-Spy Hearing In Congressional Testimony About Federal Use of Web 2.0 Technology

John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Advocate John M. Simpson today repeated Consumer Watchdog’s call for Congressional hearings into the Google Wi-Spy scandal during testimony about federal agency use of Web 2.0 technology. The hearing was before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Inside Google’s John M. Simpson to testify to Congress

John M. Simpson

We haven’t yet persuaded the House Energy and Commerce Committee to convene a hearing on Google’s Wi-Spy snooping and its dealings with intelligence agencies, but I’m off to Washington to testify to another committee.

Multi-State Probe Into Google WiFi Incident Announced

Juliana Gruenwald

Consumer Watchdog, a group that has been critical of Google on multiple fronts, praised the state effort but again urged Congress to hold a hearing on the issue. “Just as the CEO of BP was asked to explain the Gulf oil spill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, so should Google CEO Eric Schmidt be required to testify about the gross intrusion into consumers’ privacy,” John Simpson, the group’s consumer advocate, said in a statement.