Inside Google

Google Faces More Washington Scrutiny

John M. Simpson

The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee plan to examine Google’s activities for possible antitrust violations, is the latest indication that the Internet giant’s behavior is drawing increasingly skeptical — and well deserved — scrutiny in the nation’s capital.

Will Google Maps Camera-Equipped Tricycles Take Pictures Of Our Kids Playground?

Jamie Court

Google’s grand experiment in photographing the world’s places for Google Maps has taken its “street view” cameras off-road with new hi-tech tricycles equipped with 360 degree view cameras to photograph the back roads, parks, college paths and inner sanctums of our world. The engineer’s latest design raises the question: What will Google be capturing on its back-road tour that people don’t want seen?

Congressmen Quickly Agree To Our Call For Google Hearings

John M. Simpson

Concerned with the way Google was gathering social security numbers from children in connection with its “Doodle 4 Google” contest, I wrote to Reps. Ed Markey, D-MA, and Joe Barton, R-TX, calling for hearings in to the incident as well as a look at the Google Wi-Spy scandal. I sent the letter via email around noon today and later this afternoon in a joint statement the co-chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus agreed to schedule a hearing.

‘Dilbert’ Focuses On Online Privacy

John M. Simpson

When an issue becomes the topic of a comic strip, you know it’s on the nation’s agenda. Online privacy crossed that threshold today in Scott Adams’ Dilbert.

Busy Time Ahead For Online Privacy

John M. Simpson

Next week will be a busy one in Washington for online privacy as at least two bills are expected to be introduced in the House. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA, plans to offer a Do Not Track legislation and Rep. Bobby Rush, D- Il, is expected to re-introduce his online privacy bill. There’s activity outside Congress as well.

Google’s Search “Sting” Is Hypocritical

John M. Simpson

Google is blasting rival Microsoft for copying its search engine results for use on Microsoft’s search service, Bing. Microsoft claims they did nothing wrong and that Google engaged in “a spy-novelesque stunt.”

Google’s DNT Function Is Deceptive

John M. Simpson

The drive to create a “Do Not Track” mechanism to protect consumers’ online privacy as they surf the Web is gaining momentum. Companies like like Google, fearing the passage of necessary privacy laws, are scrambling to offer their versions on a voluntary basis.

Neither Sleet Nor Snow Stops Video Van

Carmen Balber

Despite a six-hour commute home on what should have been a 20 minute drive after Wednesday’s snowstorm, our mobile ad truck braved the streets again in this morning’s flurries so “Mr. Schmidt Goes to Washington” could crash a “World Privacy Day” event at Google’s lobby shop in DC.

Press Release

Google Faces Legal Woes Worldwide

CONTACT: John M. Simpson

It’s been a tough week for Google as it faced legal challenges from around the world, the most prominent being that Department of Justice antitrust staff is preparing for the possibility of a suit to block the Internet giant’s acquisition of ITA.

What happens when you Google ‘caveman’?

Jefferson Morley

Google co-founder Larry Page’s recent purchase of an 187-foot, $45 million yacht is a classic case of “conspicuous consumption.” The term, coined by economist Thorstein Veblen, refers to “the waste of money and/or resources by people to display a higher status than others.”