Archive | June, 2011
Critics Cheer Possible Google Antitrust Probe
The American Consumer Institute and Consumer Watchdog, a frequent Google critic, also applauded a potential antitrust probe of Google. “The time for an antitrust probe is long past due, and I’m optimistic the FTC investigation will lead to necessary remedies that will ensure competition in the market,” Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson said.
Continue reading...Google: We’ll Pass on the Antitrust Hearing, But if You’ve Got a Dinner Gala Coming Up, Let Us Know
22. June 2011
As John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, asked, “How is it that Eric Schmidt has the time to hobnob at a gala White House State Dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but cannot find time to answer important questions from a Senate committee. What are Page and Schmidt afraid of? What do they have to hide?” Good questions. Someone should subpoena them to find out the answers.
Continue reading...Congress, Google Clash Over Schmidt, Page Appearance
22. June 2011
Several groups were all in favor of the subcommittee using a subpoena. “What are Page and Schmidt afraid of? What do they have to hide? Congress should use its subpoena power to determine whether Google’s dominance of the search industry is enabling the company to monopolize the Internet,” said Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Says Senate Panel Should Subpoena Google Executives Larry Page And Eric Schmidt
22. June 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — The refusal of Google’s top executives, CEO Larry Page and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to testify at a hearing by the Senate’s antitrust subcommittee demonstrates a contempt for Congress and the full Senate Judiciary Committee should subpoena the two executives, Consumer Watchdog said today.
Continue reading...Facebook Hires D.C. Insiders
15. June 2011
“They could say we are hiring lobbyists to keep government off our back or they could say, ‘We do better when our customers have faith in us and trust us and we’ll sit down and negotiate,’” said John Simpson of the Consumer Watchdog. “Up to now, Facebook has stiffed serious attempts at that kind of policy development.”
Continue reading...Privacy Groups Request FTC Probe of Facebook Facial Recognition Tech
13. June 2011
EPIC wants the FTC to require Facebook to stop using the technology pending an investigation, as well as ultimately make it opt-in.The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) joined with the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Watchdog, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse to file a complaint with the agency, arguing that the facial-recognition software is “unfair and deceptive.”
Continue reading...Privacy Groups Urge Investigation of Facebook Facial Recognition Tool
13. June 2011
“There is every reason to believe that unless the [FTC] acts promptly, Facebook will routinely automate facial identification and eliminate any pretense of user control over the use of their own images for online identification,” Rotenberg wrote in the complaint. EPIC was joined by the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Watchdog and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Continue reading...Google’s Do Not Track answer doesn’t track
3. June 2011
If you follow a company closely, like I follow Google, there is no better place to remind its executives of your continued interest than the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting. It keeps them on their toes. I own a couple of shares of Google stock, so I headed up to Mountain View Thursday to attend the […]
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23. June 2011