Inside Google

Blog Post

EU’s Google Antitrust Deal Beats FTC, But Still Doesn’t Do Enough

Posted by John M. Simpson

Details of Google's proposed settlement with the European Union to avoid antitrust charges have been leaking out of Brussels over the weekend. And while EU competition authorities appear to have accomplished more that the gentle tap on the wrist meted out by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the deal as so far revealed doesn't do enough to end Google's anti-competitive practices.

Companies Press European Antitrust Regulators To Act Against Google

John M. Simpson

Eleven Internet Companies are pressing European antitrust regulators to take strong action against Google so that the Internet giant's smaller rivals aren't hurt. And what happens across the pond in this case could have an impact on possible antitrust action in the United States.

Europe’s Antitrust Chief Talks Tough On Google

John M. Simpson

Google may have only received a tap on the wrist from the Federal Trade Commission when the agency closed the U.S. antitrust investigation without taking action against the Internet giant for skewing search results to favor its services, but it's looking increasingly likely that Google will face strong action on the other side of the Atlantic.

News Clipping

Google Privacy Policy Changes Pressed For By EU Board

By Kevin Shalvey , INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

John Simpson, of Consumer Watchdog, a group critical of Google, says in a statement that Google acted with "complete disregard" for users' privacy. "I am glad the European Union is calling out their abuses, but am disappointed that American consumers must look across the Atlantic to see privacy rights defended," Simpson said.

Blog Post

FTC Readies Antitrust Suit Against Google; Consumer Watchdog Called For Breakup Two Years Ago

Posted by John M. Simpson

News broke over the weekend that Federal Trade Commission staff is calling for the Commission to bring an antitrust case against Google for abusing its dominance in search, an action Consumer Watchdog first called for more than two years ago.

News Clipping

You Have No Privacy. Get Over It

By Graeme Burton , COMPUTING

"Google has demonstrated an ability to out-maneuver government regulators repeatedly and ride roughshod over the privacy rights of consumers. Google continues to be disingenuous about its practices," says John Simpson, privacy project director at US organization Consumer Watchdog.

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White House May Try Cybersecurity End Run

By Richard Adhikari , TECH NEWS WORLD

"It is clear that we do need better protection of vulnerable networks," John Simpson, consumer advocate at Consumer Watchdog, told TechNewsWorld. "Congress was unable to act, so I suppose the Administration is taking steps." He cautioned, however, that he had not seen a copy of the draft order.

Blog Post

Google Claims Another Wi-Spy “Mistake” After Breaking Promise

Posted by John M. Simpson

Google admitted Friday to the British data protection authorities that it failed to keep its promise to destroy data its Street View cars sucked up from private Wi-Fi networks. True to its form throughout out the Wi-Spy scandal, the Internet giant claimed it was all a mistake.

Blog Post

Google Antitrust Deal In Europe Would Impact U.S.

Posted by John M. Simpson

Google -- facing the possibility of a penalty of around $4 billion -- is trying to cut a deal with European antitrust regulators that would settle the regulators' objections without having to pay a fine. It's not certain that an agreement can be reached, but if one is, it will have a direct impact on the United States. Joaquin Almunia, EU competition commissioner, said that any concessions the Internet giant offers to resolve the EU's antitrust concerns would be applied worldwide.

News Clipping

European Regulators Put Google in the Hot Seat on Privacy Changes

By Erika Morphy , E-COMMERCE TIMES

Stonewalling is Google's M.O. when it comes to regulatory requests, John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's privacy project director, told the E-Commerce Times. "Google did it with the FCC over its inquiry into the StreetView project," he said. "The FCC fined Google (US)$25,000 because it dragged its feet in responding."

Blog Post

They’re Finally Getting Google’s Number

Posted by John M. Simpson

Consumer Watchdog has long held the view that Google’s executives are hypocrites, claiming their mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, while remaining deeply secretive about the company’s activities. It wasn’t a popular view of the Internet giant. I think many people used to see Google as a [...]

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Applauds FTC, EU Investigations of Google’s Violation of Apple Users’ Privacy

CONTACT: Carmen Balber , 310-392-0522 x308; or Jamie Court, x327

Says FTC Action Needed to Stop Google Engineers Playing ‘Fast and Loose’ With Consumers’ Private Information Santa Monica, CA – Consumer Watchdog welcomed reports today confirming that the Federal Trade Commission and European regulators are investigating Google for violating the online privacy choices of consumers using the Safari web browser on Apple computers, iPhones and iPads. In a letter last month, Consumer Watchdog said that Google was lying to consumers and called on the FTC to act.

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Reding: Google Privacy Policy Is Illegal

By Clint Boulton , eWEEK.COM

California-based Google critic Consumer Watchdog called Google’s sweeping changes a “spy policy” rather than a privacy policy, an allusion to the fact that the move will help Google funnel data on users in one larger silo for targeted ads.