Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today asked Rep. Ed Markey, D-MA, and Rep. Joe Barton, R-TX, to seek hearings examining why Google gathered children’s social security numbers in entry forms for its “Doodle 4 Google” contest. The hearing should also investigate the Wi-Spy scandal.
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Consumer Watchdog, one of the more harshest critics of Google’s dominance on the Internet, said it was “inappropriate” for the president to meet Schmidt in private while the search engine giant is being scrutinized by various U.S. government departments.
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today called on the Federal Trade Commission to create a “Do Not Track Me” mechanism to protect consumers’ online privacy and added that such a mechanism must have the force of law behind it.
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One potentially rough patch for Obama is Google. The company has pending business before the Department of Justice, which has yet to rule on the company’s attempt to acquire the online travel booking company ITA, and recently drew criticism for skipping a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on rogue web sites. Consumer Watchdog, a California nonprofit long critical of Google’s business practices, pronounced itself “deeply distressed to learn that President Obama is meeting with Google CEO Eric Schmidt today behind closed doors as the Justice Department is poised to render its [Justice Department] decision.”
Press Release
Washington, DC – Consumer Watchdog told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it is, “deeply distressed to learn that President Obama is meeting with Google CEO Eric Schmidt today behind closed doors as the Justice Department is poised to render its decision on Google’s acquisition of ITA, which has caused deep concern within in the travel industry about Google’s ability to drive out competitors in the online airline booking industry.”
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Proposed legislation is designed to protect Web users’ privacy, prevent advertisers from monitoring online usage. An Internet version of the popular “Do Not Call” telephone legislation took a step toward reality on Friday, when a California Democrat introduced legislation in Congress designed to let consumers block unwanted tracking of their information online.
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SAN MATEO, CA (KCBS) — A “Do Not Track” bill was introduced in Congress Friday and consumer and privacy advocates are applauding the move.
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Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit which looks out for consumer interests, introduced the bill at a press conference along with Speier and other advocates.
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The bills were heralded by consumer groups, like Consumer Watchdog. “Consumers should have the right to choose if their private information – from shoe size, to health concerns, to religious beliefs – is collected, analyzed and profiled by companies tracking activities online,” said Carmen Balber, Washington director for Consumer Watchdog. “Do Not Track is the simple way for consumers to say ‘no thanks’ to being monitored while they surf the Web.”
Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC — “Do Not Track Me” legislation introduced in Congress today by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA, will let consumers block unwanted tracking of their information online, said the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog at a press conference today with the bill author and consumer and privacy advocates.
