Inside Google

Google Finally Improves Security Of Gmail Connections As Consumer Watchdog Urged

John M. Simpson

Santa Monica, CA —  In the wake of cyber attacks from China Google has
announced it will improve security for consumers connecting to its
Gmail service over the Internet by encrypting data traveling to its
servers, a move Consumer Watchdog called on the Internet giant to make
more than a year ago.

Chinese Attacks On Google Show Need For Internet Giant To Focus On Security, Privacy

John M. Simpson

Santa Monica, CA — Google acted correctly in ending self-censorship of
its Chinese search engine, Google.cn, but the cyber attacks that
prompted the decision demonstrate the company must give American
consumers better security and privacy controls, Consumer Watchdog said
today.

Google Does An About-Face On China Policy

James Temple

San Francisco, CA — In a surprise announcement late Tuesday, Google Inc. said it may turn its back on the huge Chinese market after a sophisticated cyber attack on the e-mail accounts of human rights advocates in the Asian nation. Some have dubbed the country’s censorship efforts, which apply to Yahoo
Inc. and Microsoft Corp.’s search engines too, the "Great Firewall of
China." Users of Google.cn in China generally couldn’t look at images
of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, dig up information about Tibet’s
Dalai Lama or access the Web site for journalism watchdog organization
Reporters Without Borders, according to reports. "While Google
should never have agreed to censor search results in China in the first
place, it is doing the right thing by ending the practice now," said
John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog in Los Angeles. "The company should
be commended."

Google May Leave China In Wake Of Hacker Attacks

David Sarno Jessica Guynn

The Internet firm says it will stop the scorned practice of censoring users’ search results.

Public interest groups lauded Google’s move to stop censoring search results. "While Google should never have agreed to censor search results in
China in the first place, it is doing the right thing by ending the
practice now," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog.

What does Google’s power play mean?

John M. Simpson

Google last week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for permission to buy and sell electric power like…

How Google peddles its stuff

John M. Simpson

Google is notorious for maintaining a clutter-free, minimalist home page. It famously resisted adding a "privacy" link because adding the word would have brought the word count to 29, one more than the magic 28 words founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin insisted should be the maxim on the page.

Google is still the 800-pound gorilla

John M. Simpson

Google acted again Tuesday to ensure that will be a dominant player in the increasingly important mobile market.  It clearly wants to avoid what happened to other tech…

Press Release

Taking Aim At Google, Apple Buys Mobile Ad Firm

CONTACT: Chris Lefkow

Apple has bought mobile advertising company Quattro Wireless as cellphone competition heats up between the maker of the iPhone and Internet giant Google. Google’s purchase of AdMob is currently being examined by the US
Federal Trade Commission, and two consumer groups, the Center for
Digital Democracy and Consumer Watchdog, have urged the FTC to oppose
the deal on anti-trust grounds.

What’s Google’s next plan for mobile?

John M. Simpson

Tuesday is a big day for those trying to figure out just what Google is planning for the increasingly important mobile phone market.

The Internet giant has…

Smart Phone Apps Can Find You, Follow You

James Temple

The Center for Digital Democracy and U.S. Public Interest Research
Group filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last January,
arguing that people should be asked for their consent before their
information can be collected and used for mobile advertising. The
Center for Digital Democracy and Consumer Watchdog have urged the FTC
to reject Google’s acquisition of AdMob, citing both competitive and
privacy concerns.