Tag Archive | "going to court"
Microsoft-Yahoo! Pact Hit With Anti-Trust Question
Three-Into-Two Doesn't Wash Consumer Watchdog noted the competitive search and advertising landscape will deteriorate - not improve - if the result is two enterprises that exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights. John Simpson, an advocate with the group, said the FTC and DoJ must insist users retain control of their data, how it's used, and where its stored. "Users must have control of their data - whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can - and must - insist on this," he said in a statement.
Continue reading...Warning issued on Google Books privacy threat
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Much of the focus on the proposed Google Books settlement has been on antitrust concerns....
Continue reading...Google Posts Advertising ‘Spin Document’ Online
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Well, it's a good nod to almost-transparency, anyway. But just so you remember: Google would have preferred you not see these materials at all! And Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court remains concerned...
Continue reading...News Clipping
Consumer Watchdog Takes On Google As Lawmakers Mull Data Privacy Regulation
By Jason Linkins HUFFINGTON POST
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Consumer Watchdog -- which, as the name implies is a consumer watchdog organization -- is raising alarms over privacy concerns that have been brought to the fore as online search company Google engages in wheeling and dealing before the House Communications and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.
Continue reading...DOJ Launches Formal Investigation Into Google Book Search Settlement
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Department of Justice confirms its investigation into whether Google's $125 million Book Search settlement violates U.S. antitrust laws. Opponents fear the agreement gives the search engine giant too much power in the digital book world. The fairness hearing is set for Oct. 7, 2009. "The fact that the Justice Department decided to formally notify the judge in the Google Book Search class action settlement that it is investigating the deal is an important development," consumer advocate for Consumer Watchdog John Simpson said in an e-mail to eWEEK.
Continue reading...Justice Probes Antitrust Issues In Google Deal With Publishers
Friday, July 3, 2009
Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, also predicted the settlement would "pass muster" because it opens up new markets. But those concerned about the settlement said they were pleased with the Justice Department's letter. "This is now a clear step that they are taking the matter seriously." said John M. Simpson, an advocate for Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit consumer group.
Continue reading...Justice Is Probing Google’s Book Deal
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Justice Department on Thursday said it had launched a formal antitrust investigation into the proposed settlement over the Google Inc. project to scan millions of books into a digital format. In recent months, a number of parties have objected to the settlement, including Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, the American Library Assn. and the Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization that seeks to digitize public domain books and make them freely available online. Many of the objections involve concerns that Google would create a monopoly on digital books.
Continue reading...DOJ Officially Opens Investigation Into Google Book Search
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday that it is investigating a settlement involving Google Book Search for possible antitrust violations, following months of speculation that the agency had its eye on the service. Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group, argues that the proposal gives Google special protections against lawsuits over the orphan works. Those special protections would discourage potential Google competitors from entering the digital book business unless they could negotiate a similar protection, the group argues. Consumer Watchdog has urged the DOJ to examine the settlement.
Continue reading...Google Makes a Case That It Isn’t So Big
Monday, June 29, 2009
Eyes are rolling, especially in reaction to the idea that Google is a relatively small player in a giant market. “They describe where they are in a market under a kind of a fairy-tale spun gloss that doesn’t reflect their dominance of key sectors,” said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. “Google search is an absolute must-have for every marketer in the world.”
Continue reading...Reports: DOJ Turns Up The Heat On Google’s Book Deal
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice has stepped up its review of a deal that would settle a lawsuit publishers and authors filed against Google over the latter's book search engine, according to published reports. Consumer Watchdog has charged that the proposed settlement gives Google special protections against lawsuits over orphan works.
Continue reading...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
0 Comments