Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog Highlights Google Hypocrisy In Differing ‘Cloud Computing’ Statements

Group Also Releases 3rd Round Of Annotated Google Documents In ‘Charmwatch’ Campaign

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today slammed Google for its
apparent hypocrisy in marketing its new "cloud computing" products,
blandly assuring customers that their data is secure on Google Internet
servers but at the same time warning shareholders of the security risks
posed by swift expansion of its commercial online business. The
nonpartisan, nonprofit group sent a letter to a Los Angeles City
Councilman showing that Google says one thing when trying to sell its
products, but something else in federally required filings aimed at
shareholders. Consumer Watchdog also released another round of
annotated Google P.R. documents in its Google “Charmwatch” campaign.  

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Says Genetech’s Levinson Correct To Resign From Google Board

SANTA MONICA, CA — Arthur D. Levinson, a member of both Google and Apple’s boards, acted correctly in resigning from Google’s board, Consumer Watchdog said today.

"We’re pleased that Arthur Levinson finally realized that…

Press Release

Publishers and Authors Ask To Delay Google Hearing To Negotiate New Settlement

Consumer Watchdog Says Copyright Issues For Congress, Not Closed-Door Deals

SANTA M0NICA, CA —Publisher and author associations sought today to
cancel a key hearing in the Google Books case to allow private
negotiations with Google over digitizing books online. Consumer
Watchdog warned that important issues affecting copyright law should
not be negotiated behind closed doors.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Praises Department Of Justice Action In Google Books Case, Warns Major Issues Including Lack Of Privacy Guarantees Remain Problematic

SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog praised the U.S. Justice
Department for objecting to the proposed Google Books settlement in a
brief the department filed in U.S. District Court tonight. The nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer group had asked the Justice
Department to intervene in the case on antitrust grounds last April.
Justice announced it was investigating in July. Justice’s objections
tonight went beyond antitrust concerns.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Tells Justice Any Google Deal Must Include Means Of Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC —  Any plan offered by Google meant to overcome
objections to the proposed Google Books settlement must include a
“binding agreement with the full force of law,” Consumer Watchdog told
the U.S. Justice Department today. Justice has until Friday to file
its position on the books settlement with the court.

Consumer Watchdog Backs Digital Libraries, Opposes Google Books Settlement Deal

Testimony Says Deal Violates Law, Is Anti-Competitive And Raises Privacy Concerns

WASHINGTON, DC — The proposed Google Books settlement should be
rejected because it is anticompetitive, violates both U.S. and
international law and raises substantial threats to privacy, Consumer
Watchdog’s John M. Simpson told the House Judiciary Committee today.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Court To Reject Google Books Deal, Calls New Privacy Policy Inadequate

Brief Argues Books Settlement Violates Both U.S. And International Copyright Law, Is Anticompetitive

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer Watchdog today filed a brief urging a
federal court to reject the proposed Google Books settlement because it
is anticompetitive and violates both U.S. and international law.
 Separately, the consumer group called a Books privacy policy Google
offered late last week inadequate.

Following the money in L.A.’s proposed Google email deal

L.A. City council is wrestling with a proposal to shift the city’s 30,000 email users and other computer applications to a system provided by Google.  Anytime a deal like this is under consideration, it’s worth checking the money trail. I examined records kept by the Los Angeles Ethics Commission to see who paid what to whom.

Google seeks spinmeisters

Internet giant Google is seeking communications personnel to get its story out to the world and counter what it calls negative press.

According to an …

L.A. Council committee signs off on Google email plan with caveats

The Los Angeles City Council’s Information Technology and General Services (ITGS) Committee on Tuesday Continue reading...