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California Introduces Do-Not-Track Bill, May Set U.S. Standard
The legislation would require businesses to “provide a consumer in California with a method to opt out” of the “collection, use and storage” of consumer information, the bill states. It also gives the California Attorney General and the California Office of Privacy Protection the authority to “develop and enforce do-not-track regulations,” according to a press release issued today by Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group.
Continue reading...Feds Probe Privacy Violations Involving Smartphone App Data
4. April 2011
“I don’t think the average consumer has any idea that what most people consider smartphones are nothing more than spy phones,” said John Simpson, director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...Do-Not-Track Bill Introduced In California
4. April 2011
The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, which is sponsoring Lowenthal’s bill, says that if it is enacted, California would become the first state to give people the right to eschew online tracking.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Challenges New Google Chief To Support Do-Not-Track
4. April 2011
The privacy group Consumer Watchdog is challenging Google to improve its privacy standards as the company undergoes a regime change in its top office. On Larry Page’s first day as chief executive, the watchdog asked him to support a Do-Not-Track regime for Internet privacy outlined in a California state bill.
Continue reading...Google “Wi-Spy” Controversy Rages On, Raises More Questions
1. April 2011
Consumer groups, however, were far from satisfied with the FTC’s conclusion or with Google’s apology. John Simpson, the director of the Inside Google project at the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, accused Google of getting a free pass from the government and pressed for further investigation and recourse for the company.
Continue reading...Google Privacy Settlement Unlikely To Cause Big Change
1. April 2011
Consumer Watchdog, for one, believes the settlement falls short of its goal because it lacks bite. “We appreciate this landmark privacy decision by the FTC, but Google needs to be punished and feel pain on its bottom line,” John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project director, said in a statement. “Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users’ privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts.”
Continue reading...Privacy Groups Cheer FTC’s Action Over Google Buzz
30. March 2011
“We appreciate this landmark privacy decision by the FTC, but Google needs to be punished and feel pain on its bottom line,” said John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, in a statement. “Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users’ privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts.”
Continue reading...Google Settles Buzz Case With US Government
30. March 2011
“We appreciate this landmark privacy decision by the FTC, but Google needs to be punished and feel pain on its bottom line,” said Consumer Watchdog privacy project director John M. Simpson. “Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users’ privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts.”
Continue reading...Gauntlet Thrown Down In Google Settlement
30. March 2011
“My assessment of this is that the FTC is struggling mightily to do as much as it can, given the legal structure it’s got,” said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, which has urged the federal government to investigate Google in a number of areas. Simpson added the entire flap ultimately reflects the urgency with which Congress should pass a new law, preferably one that would allow consumers to opt-out of advertisements targeted to their browsing behavior, called “Do Not Track.”
Continue reading...Google Introduces New Social Tool and Settles Privacy Charge
30. March 2011
“It’s ironic it’s (+1) coming out on the same day” as the F.T.C. settlement, said John M. Simpson, an advocate at Consumer Watchdog, a critic of Google. “It seems to me there are some of the same kinds of issues that happened with Buzz. The key is how transparent and open it is about what’s going to be shared and how you share it.”
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4. April 2011