Inside Google

LA Council Insists On Added Security Breach Penalty As It Oks Move To Google’s ‘Cloud’

John M. Simpson

Project Demands Close Monitoring To Guarantee Citizen’s Privacy Consumer Watchdog Says

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles City Council voted today to move the
city’s 30,000 email users to a system provided by Google, but only
after a provision that the city be compensated if there is security
breach in the data held on Google’s servers.

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

John M. Simpson

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

CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-392-0522 ext. 317

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

CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-374-2901 cell 310 292-1902

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

CONTACT: John M. Simpson cell 310 292-1902

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

CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-292-1902 or Carmen Balber 202-629-3043

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

John M. Simpson

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

John M. Simpson

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.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Calls On Genetech Exec To Quit Either Google Or Apple Board

CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-392-0522 ext. 317 or cell 310-292-1902

Santa Monica, CA — Genentech Board Chairman Arthur D. Levinson should
quit as a director of either Internet giant Google or Apple to avoid
antitrust violations, Consumer Watchdog said today, following the
resignation of Eric Schmidt from the Apple board. The call from the nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer group came after the
announcement that Google Chairman and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, who
held the same dual role, was stepping down from Apple’s board.  The
Federal Trade Commission has been investigating for several months
whether Apple and Google had violated antitrust laws by sharing two
directors.

Press Release

Consumer Watchdog Calls On Feds To Get User Privacy And Antitrust Guarantees In Proposed Microsoft-Yahoo! Deal

CONTACT: John M. Simpson 310-392-0522 ext. 317 or cell 310-292-1902

Santa Monica CA — The proposed 10-year partnership on Internet search
and search advertising between Microsoft and Yahoo! must be closely
scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department
to ensure there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is
guaranteed, Consumer Watchdog said today.