Tag Archive | "reform"
Online Privacy Bill Fails To Pass
The measure is supported by groups including the California State Sheriffs' Assn., Child Abuse Prevention Council and Consumer Watchdog. Some advocates contend that parents should have the legal authority to order websites to delete online information that puts their children at risk.
Continue reading...Growing Privacy Scrutiny of Mobile Could Lead to Legislation This Year
Monday, May 23, 2011
“The message for mobile companies is that they’ve got to get up-to-speed with privacy best practices and act responsibly,” said John M. Simpson, Washington-based director of nonprofit Consumer Watchdog’s privacy project. “If they don’t, there is going to be really strong regulation really quickly,” he said.
Continue reading...Google Says It Is Combating Illegal Ads
Friday, May 20, 2011
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 20 (UPI) — U.S. technology giant Google Inc. said it is taking a proactive stance against illegal advertising, the subject of a U.S. Justice Department probe. “Google has a natural long-term financial incentive to make sure that the advertisements we serve are trustworthy,” said company spokeswoman Diana Adair, The Washington Post […]
Continue reading...FCC Announces a Public Forum on Smartphone Location Tracking Systems
Thursday, May 19, 2011
John Simpson, spokesman for Consumer Watchdog, notes that the FCC is continuing an investigation into Google's past practice of sending fleets of specially equipped vehicles criss-crossing city streets in 30-plus nations to take photos for its mapping service -- and to collect data from Wi-Fi systems in homes and businesses.
Continue reading...Is Google Profiting From Illegal Ads?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog released a report this year tracking ads on Google’s site that preyed on consumers looking for mortgage modifications. The report called Google “a prominent beneficiary of the national home loan and foreclosure crisis of the past two years.”
Continue reading...Jamie Court: Browser Beater
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Consumer Watchdog has dogged Google since 2008 on a number of issues. Particularly galling to Court is Google's massive collection of Internet users' information obtained through unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, which he says is a violation of wiretapping laws.
Continue reading...Google Deflects PR Firm’s Attack of Gmail Privacy
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
"Much of Google's privacy problems stem from the company's culture," says John Simpson, spokesman for the non-profit Consumer Watchdog. "They hire like-minded engineers who push the creepy line, then apologize when they get caught with their fingers in the cookie jar."
Continue reading...Consumer Groups Welcome ‘Do Not Track’ Privacy Push
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog noted that Mozilla, Microsoft and Apple are incorporating a mechanism into their Web browsers to send a "Do Not Track" message but there is currently no legal requirement that a website honor the request.
Continue reading...Do-Not-Track-Online One Step Closer To Being National Right
Monday, May 9, 2011
A poll by Consumer Watchdog found that 90 percent of Americans want legislation to protect their online privacy, and 80 percent support a Do Not Track mechanism. Another 86 percent want a single-click button on their browsers that makes them anonymous when they search online.
Continue reading...Internet Privacy Bills Are Planned
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The bills announced Friday give new impetus to allowing consumers to request they not be tracked, said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog. "Demand for 'do not track' protection is swelling, and that makes sense," he said. "This is an idea whose time has come, and I believe people will finally get the protection they are demanding."
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Saturday, May 28, 2011
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