Inside Google

Google Deflects PR Firm’s Attack of Gmail Privacy

Byron Acohido

“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.”

Consumer Groups Welcome ‘Do Not Track’ Privacy Push

Staff Writers

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.

Do-Not-Track-Online One Step Closer To Being National Right

Jamie Court

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.

Press Release

New book explains why you can’t trust Google

CONTACT: John M. Simpson

Nobody can doubt the pervasive influence Google has in our daily lives. For most people the Internet giant has become the primary gateway to the Web. No doubt many of its services are useful, but what is the real impact of a company whose audacious mission is ” to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful?” Scott Cleland has been doing some serious thinking about Google. His book, “Search & Destroy: Why You Can’t Trust Google Inc,” is the result.

Internet Privacy Bills Are Planned

Jim Puzzanghera

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.”

Do-Not-Track Laws Gain US Momentum

Gavin Clarke

The chairman of the powerful US senate commerce committee plans to introduce a bill [1] next week that will require companies to give online shoppers the opportunity to opt out of online tracking – and enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission.

Online Privacy Concerns Fuel Drive For ‘Do-Not-Track’ Legislation

Josh Smith

“Demand for do-not-track protection is swelling and that makes sense,” said John Simpson, spokesman for the group Consumer Watchdog. “This is an idea whose time has come, and I believe people will finally get the protection they are demanding. Senator Rockefeller should be commended for pushing the issue.”

California’s Do Not Track Law Takes a Step Forward

Robert McMillan

Still, it’s the first time such a bill has made it out of committee, and that’s a big deal, according to John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project. “This is the first time that a ‘do not track’ bill has actually had a hearing and been debated and then voted forward in the legislative process,” he said.

California Bill Clears Committee After Nation’s First Legislative Hearing on Do-Not-Track

Louis Trager

“A Do Not Track mechanism would give consumers better control of their information and help restore their confidence in the internet,” Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdog’s president, said in a written statement after the committee action. “That’s a win-win for consumers and business.”

Viewpoints: ‘Do Not Track’ Would Protect Online Privacy

Jamie Court

Why should iPhone and Android users have to worry about being spied on by their smart phones? Shouldn’t we be able to say no to some of California’s biggest companies, Google and Facebook, when they violate our privacy daily by tracking us online and collecting massive amounts of our private information without our explicit consent?