Inside Google

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Takes “Do Not Track Me” Campaign to Times Square With Animated Video Targeting Google CEO’s Lack of Respect For Privacy

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-7041, or cell: 310-292-1902

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog’s InsideGoogle.com has taken its online privacy campaign to New York’s Times Square, where it has purchased a 540 sq. ft. Jumbotron digital advertisement promoting an animated video satirizing Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s attitude toward consumer privacy.

Blog Post

Google shows the way on search engine encryption; others must follow

Posted by John M. Simpson

Google has announced that it is now offering privacy-friendly SSL encryption on its search engine, becoming the first major company to offer the protection. The company deserves credit and others who want to do more than pay lip service to privacy should immediately follow Google's lead.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Launches Inside Google Website To Focus Light on Internet Giant

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , (310) 392-0522, ext 317; or cell: (310) 292-1902

Consumer Watchdog today formally launched its new Website, Inside Google, to focus attention on the company’s activities and hold Google accountable for its actions. The sites’ URL is http://insidegoogle.com.

News Clipping

Google Contacts Trigger Reprimand for Obama Aide, Official Says

By Todd Shields , BLOOMBERG - BUSINESSWEEK

The White House released the e-mails following a request by Santa Monica, California-based Consumer Watchdog, which says it works to protect American consumers and taxpayers. “He’s got too many ties to influence-peddling and it’s clear that those ties haven’t been completely cut,” said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate with the group, in an interview. “What makes it particularly irksome is that Obama made such a big deal about ending the revolving door of lobbyists.”

News Clipping

Google’s WiFi Snoop – Who Knew and Who Didn’t?

By Cade Metz , THE REGISTER UK

"The FTC needs to ask what did Google know and when did Google know it,” says John Simpson. “Google’s suggestion for a third-party audit is inadequate...That would be like like getting to pick and pay the referees in a championship basketball game. This investigation must be done by a regulatory authority capable of imposing real sanctions."

News Clipping

Watchdog Blasts Google Over Data Collection Mistake

By Juliana Gruenwald , NATIONAL JOURNAL - TECH DAILY DOSE

"Once again Google has demonstrated a lack of concern for privacy," Consumer Watchdog Consumer Advocate John M. Simpson said in a statement. "Its computer engineers run amok, push the envelope and gather whatever data they can until their fingers are caught in the cookie jar. Then a Google executive apologizes, mouthing bafflegab about how privacy matters to the company."

News Clipping

Google Acknowledges Collecting Snippets of People’s Online Activities Broadcast Over Wi-Fi

By Michael Liedtke , ASSOCIATED PRESS (LA TIMES)

Consumer Watchdog, a group that has become one of Google's most outspoken critics, renewed its call for a regulatory crackdown Friday. "Once again, Google has demonstrated a lack of concern for privacy," said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. "Its computer engineers run amok, push the envelope and gather whatever data they can until their fingers are caught in the cookie jar."

News Clipping

Google’s Eric Schmidt Sheds Light On Security, Search, AdMob, China

By Laurie Sullivan , MEDIAPOST SEARCH MARKETING DAILY

Google could announce this week that it will move SSL encryption implemented in Gmail to other services such as search. During the company's annual shareholders meeting a question on this from John Simpson, an investor who works for Consumer Watchdog, prompted a curt "Do you get the drift of the answer?" from Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt after Google vice president of search Marissa Mayer replied "stay tuned." Encryption has moved to the forefront after Google's admission last week it had collected small pieces of private information people sent through unencrypted wireless networks.

News Clipping

Google Collecting Personal WiFi Data By Mistake

By Chris Lefkow , AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that is a frequent critic of Google, said the company had demonstrated a "lack of concern for privacy. Its computer engineers run amok, push the envelope and gather whatever data they can until their fingers are caught in the cookie jar," Simpson said. "The takeaway from this incident is the clear need for government oversight and regulation of the data all online companies gather and store," he said.

News Clipping

Google Apologizes Over Wi-Fi Data Collection

By Sarah Garrod , INTHENEWS.CO.UK

John Simpson from the Consumer Watchdog has said that appropriate government agencies must now ensure the data is appropriately deleted. "Once again Google has demonstrated a lack of concern for privacy," said Mr Simpson. "Its computer engineers run amok, push the envelope and gather whatever data they can until their fingers are caught in the cookie jar. Then a Google executive apologizes, mouthing bafflegab about how privacy matters to the company. "The takeaway from this incident is the clear need for government oversight and regulation of the data all online companies gather and store," he added.

News Clipping

Google Admits Wi-Fi Data Blunder

By Maggie Shiels , BBC NEWS

John Simpson, from the Consumer Watchdog, told the BBC: "The problem is [Google] have a bunch of engineers who push the envelope and gather as much information as they can and don't think about the ramifications of that."

News Clipping

Google Admits Vacuuming Up Data from Wi-Fi Networks, Apologizes

By Mike Swift , SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

"Here they are just out and out snooping in neighborhoods and spying on people," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, a frequent Google critic who questioned whether Google violated wiretapping laws.

Google Gmail Privacy

John M. Simpson