Archive | February, 2010
Press Release
Justice’s Google probe is ongoing
CONTACT: John M. Simpson
I’ve just been reading the transcript from last week’s Fairness Hearing in the Google Books case and one thing is crystal clear: The U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation of Google is by no means finished.
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Group Calls On Justice To Probe Google Searches
CONTACT: Juliana Gruenwald
25. February 2010
The
consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog wrote the Justice Department
Wednesday to urge it to investigate allegations that Google is
manipulating its search results to favor its own products.
Press Release
Google’s European troubles and one good thing about the Italian case
CONTACT: John M. Simpson
24. February 2010
Google has taken a one-two punch to the chin this week from Europe first with the news that the European Commission is probing the Internet giant for possible antitrust violations followed by the conviction of three top executives for invasion of…
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Google Faces New Antitrust Complaints
CONTACT: Wendy Davis
24. February 2010
Earlier this month, the shopping comparison search engine myTriggers brought an antitrust action against Google, alleging that the search giant unfairly lowered myTriggers’ quality score. This
afternoon, the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog piled on. Consumer Watchdog
called for the Department of Justice to investigate whether Google "is
manipulating" search results by returning its own sites high in the
search results.
Press Release
Consumer Watchdog Urges Justice To Include Search Manipulation In Google Probe
CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-392-0522 ext 317 or Carmen Balber 202-629-3043
24. February 2010
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today called upon the Justice
Department to ensure that its ongoing antitrust probe of Google’s
business practices include an investigation of whether the Internet
giant is manipulating its search results to favor its own products.
Press Release
Judge Puts Off Ruling On Google’s Proposed Digital Book Settlement
CONTACT: Cecilia Kang
19. February 2010
NEW YORK, NY — Google confronted a barrage of criticism from opponents of its proposed digital book settlement Thursday as the Internet search giant tried to persuade a federal judge to approve a deal that would allow it to create the world’s largest online library. Some consumer groups warned Thursday that the company that preaches not to be evil could suffer from eroding trust. "They are part of this Silicon Valley culture which says ‘don’t ask for
permission because you can always ask for forgiveness,’ " said John
Simpson, head of the nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog. "The problem is
that they are starting now to be so big and so ambitious that some of
the things they are trying to do now are overreaching in a way that
will very likely tarnish their brand."
Judge asks tough questions in Google Books case
19. February 2010
U.S. Judge Denny Chin began Thursday’s marathon Fairness Hearing in the Google Books case by ending the suspense. "I’m not going to rule today," he said. But sitting in the courtroom observing the more than four-hour long
hearing, the questions Judge Chin asked left me believing that the
objections to the deal raised by groups like Consumer Watchdog have
made a strong impression on him.
Press Release
At Hearing On Google Books, Critics Reiterate Opposition
CONTACT: Aruna Viswanatha
18. February 2010
In press releases this morning outlining their testimony, critics of the plan reiterated their opposition. “In essence Google’s latest arguments seem to boil down to this: ‘Our
motto is don’t be evil, so you can trust us to control the world’s
digital library,’ said John Simpson, with a group called Consumer
Watchdog which has criticized Google on privacy issues.
Attorneys For Consumer Watchdog In Court To Argue Against Google Books Deal
18. February 2010
NEW YORK, NY — Attorneys for Consumer Watchdog will appear in a federal
court today to urge Judge Deny Chinn to reject the revised Google Books
settlement because it remains anticompetitive and violates both U.S.
and international law.
Google In Court Over Books Deal
18. February 2010
Search giant Google is facing its opponents in a New York court over long-delayed plans to create the world’s largest online library. Critics say the pact would hand the search giant a monopoly over online books sales. Some 26 interested parties will be given time to outline any objections. "This case is the key showdown. It’s high-noon time in front of a
judge," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, one of the groups that
objects to the settlement. "I do think all the books in the world should be digitised, but I think
it is completely wrong to give one huge company control of that huge
database and this is a very, very important matter," Mr Simpson said.
25. February 2010