Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog Lauds Clinton’s Call For Open Internet, Stresses Need For Online Consumer Privacy Safeguards

John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON, DC —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s condemnation of
cyber attacks and censorship is an important endorsement of a free
global Internet, but just as important to ensuring the Internet’s
contribution to democracy and economic growth is a commitment to
consumer privacy, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Googling Obama’s China policy

Eamon Javers Kenneth P. Vogel

Google’s ties to the Obama administration are perhaps unrivaled in corporate America, but the Internet giant’s announcement this week that it’s considering pulling out of China because of Chinese censorship and hacker attacks put the White House in a tricky spot. "They like to go around and sing the mantra, ‘Don’t be evil,’" said
John Simpson, a consumer advocate with the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.
"But they almost always act in what they perceive to be Google’s
interest – and that doesn’t necessarily coincide with that of any
government."

Security Firm Outlines How Attack Against Google Was Pulled Off

Pete Carey

A Silicon Valley Internet security firm on Thursday described for the first time how hackers from China were able to crack Google’s defenses, saying the attackers took advantage of a flaw in Microsoft’s Web browser to probe deeply into the company’s network. In addition to the Google network, the high-profile intrusion also
targeted Gmail accounts in the United States and other countries. This
may prompt users to demand better security for electronic mail and
other personal data that’s stored on Internet clouds, some advocates
say. "The problem up until now is that people like Google have
emphasized speed and efficiency and ease of use," said John M. Simpson,
an advocate with Consumer Watchdog. "In too many cases, they have let
security and privacy become a secondary issue. This situation is a
wake-up call for everybody."

Chinese Attacks On Google Show Need For Internet Giant To Focus On Security, Privacy

John M. Simpson

Santa Monica, CA — Google acted correctly in ending self-censorship of
its Chinese search engine, Google.cn, but the cyber attacks that
prompted the decision demonstrate the company must give American
consumers better security and privacy controls, Consumer Watchdog said
today.

Google Does An About-Face On China Policy

James Temple

San Francisco, CA — In a surprise announcement late Tuesday, Google Inc. said it may turn its back on the huge Chinese market after a sophisticated cyber attack on the e-mail accounts of human rights advocates in the Asian nation. Some have dubbed the country’s censorship efforts, which apply to Yahoo
Inc. and Microsoft Corp.’s search engines too, the "Great Firewall of
China." Users of Google.cn in China generally couldn’t look at images
of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, dig up information about Tibet’s
Dalai Lama or access the Web site for journalism watchdog organization
Reporters Without Borders, according to reports. "While Google
should never have agreed to censor search results in China in the first
place, it is doing the right thing by ending the practice now," said
John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog in Los Angeles. "The company should
be commended."

Google May Leave China In Wake Of Hacker Attacks

David Sarno Jessica Guynn

The Internet firm says it will stop the scorned practice of censoring users’ search results.

Public interest groups lauded Google’s move to stop censoring search results. "While Google should never have agreed to censor search results in
China in the first place, it is doing the right thing by ending the
practice now," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog.

What does Google’s power play mean?

John M. Simpson

Google last week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for permission to buy and sell electric power like…

How Google peddles its stuff

John M. Simpson

Google is notorious for maintaining a clutter-free, minimalist home page. It famously resisted adding a "privacy" link because adding the word would have brought the word count to 29, one more than the magic 28 words founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin insisted should be the maxim on the page.

Press Release

Taking Aim At Google, Apple Buys Mobile Ad Firm

CONTACT: Chris Lefkow

Apple has bought mobile advertising company Quattro Wireless as cellphone competition heats up between the maker of the iPhone and Internet giant Google. Google’s purchase of AdMob is currently being examined by the US
Federal Trade Commission, and two consumer groups, the Center for
Digital Democracy and Consumer Watchdog, have urged the FTC to oppose
the deal on anti-trust grounds.

Smart Phone Apps Can Find You, Follow You

James Temple

The Center for Digital Democracy and U.S. Public Interest Research
Group filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last January,
arguing that people should be asked for their consent before their
information can be collected and used for mobile advertising. The
Center for Digital Democracy and Consumer Watchdog have urged the FTC
to reject Google’s acquisition of AdMob, citing both competitive and
privacy concerns.