Inside Google

Grad student sparks online advertising reforms

John M. Simpson

A week ago I wrote about how a graduate student, Chris Soghoian, had exposed the online industry-touted…

Long Term, The Microsoft-Yahoo Deal Could Benefit Consumers

Larry Magid

John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog raised concerns about how users’ personal data is collected, stored and shared. He’s worried about "up-until-now separate databases being merged and
used in ways that haven’t been made explicit." Simpson hopes to see
Microsoft and Yahoo come up with a data retention policy that expunges
personal information in about a month and says that, by default, they
shouldn’t collect behavioral information unless consumers opt-in.

Press Release

Microsoft-Yahoo Deal Faces Moderate Antitrust Scrutiny, Say Experts

CONTACT: Greg Piper

Microsoft and Yahoo finally tied the knot, but they signed an expansive pre-nup to limit antitrust scrutiny. Vocal Google critic Consumer Watchdog didn’t denounce the deal
outright, noting that "some have suggested" that the tie-up may
increase competition against Google. But the Microsoft-Yahoo deal is a
chance for regulators to "set to the gold standard for privacy
guarantees by Internet companies and for the government to use its
leverage to obtain it," it said. Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson said
the FTC should take a strong lead on privacy matters. "If the result of
this deal is that there are two stronger Internet search enterprises
who exploit users’ data at the expense of their privacy rights,
consumers are worse off, not better," he said. "Justice and the FTC can
— and must — insist on this."

Press Release

Consumer Advocates Exhort DOJ, FTC To Scrutinize Microsoft-Yahoo Deal

CONTACT: Clint Boulton

John Simpson, an advocate with non-profit group Consumer Watchdog, also
said the Microhoo deal must be closely scrutinized by the Federal Trade
Commission, the Justice Department and the European Commission to
ensure that there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is
guaranteed. "If the result of this deal is that there are two stronger Internet
search enterprises who exploit users’ data at the expense of their
privacy rights, consumers are worse off, not better," said Simpson.
"Users must have control of their data—whether it is collected and how
it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this
deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can—and must—insist on this."

Press Release

Microsoft, Yahoo Finally Sign Search Deal

CONTACT: James Temple

Microsoft and Yahoo clearly are bracing for regulatory scrutiny. The news release emphasized that the two companies will "continue to compete vigorously" in other areas, including e-mail, instant messaging and display advertising. It also stressed that the agreement restricts the sharing of search and other data.
Consumer Watchdog in Washington, D.C., called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to probe the deal for potential antitrust violations and privacy concerns.

Press Release

Microsoft-Yahoo! Pact Hit With Anti-Trust Question

CONTACT: Gavin Clarke

Three-Into-Two Doesn’t Wash

Consumer Watchdog noted the competitive search and advertising
landscape will deteriorate – not improve – if the result is two
enterprises that exploit users’ data at the expense of their privacy
rights. John Simpson, an advocate with the group, said the FTC and DoJ must
insist users retain control of their data, how it’s used, and where its
stored. "Users must have control of their data – whether it is collected and
how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this
deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can – and must – insist on this,"
he said in a statement.

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.

Experts: Make the (Transparent) Case for Behavioral Advertising

Susan Hall

When the online advertising industry recently issued seven principles to protect consumer privacy, you could see the lines being drawn. John Simpson, consumer advocate for California-based nonprofit Consumer
Watchdog, doesn’t believe this industry will be able to regulate
itself. He believes opting in should be consumers’ choice, not the current
model where they have to work to opt out of having their Web-surfing
habits monitored. He says that if advertisers clearly explain their
programs and how that benefits customers, those users are likely to be
willing to be part of it.

Twitter Breach Revives Security Issues With Cloud Computing

Jaikumar Vijayan

Concerns are the same as with any outsourcing, remote data access, IT managers say.

Consumer Watchdog group said the Twitter incident raises the question
of whether "Google’s cloud as offered provides adequate safeguards."
Moving medical and health-related records, and information on domestic
and sexual assault and substance abuse to Google raises concerns over
how such sensitive data will be protected, the group wrote in a letter
addressed to City Council members. "Before jumping into the Google deal, the City Council needs to insist
on appropriate guarantees — for instance substantial financial
penalties in the event of any security breach," John Simpson, a
consumer advocate for the group wrote.

Online behavioral advertising opt-out procedures misleading

John M. Simpson

Earlier this month  the Network Advertising Initiative (NIA), a trade association that includes some of the biggest online advertising companies like Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft…