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FTC Approves Google Deal for AdMob
“I’m really incredulous,” said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog. “What they are saying is the No. 1 and the No. 2 can combine, and it’s not a problem because there is a No. 3 over there that is now owned by Apple. I find that incomprehensible.”
Continue reading...White House and Google: Cozy, As Charged
21. May 2010
By browsing through several dozen emails now being posted by a consumer group, anyone can read for himself the chummy chatter that has been occurring for the past year between a couple of senior Google officers and White House Deputy Chief Technology Officer Andrew McLaughlin, who headed Google’s global public policy unit until assuming his current post in May 2009.
Continue reading...New Website Tracking Google’s Impact on Privacy
20. May 2010
“Google advocates openness and transparency for everyone else, but when it comes to their own activities, the company is extremely secretive,” said Consumer Watchdog spokesman John Simpson. “Inside Google will focus needed public attention on Google’s activities.”
Continue reading...Google Will ‘Fight’ for AdMob Deal, Schmidt Says
19. May 2010
Consumer Watchdog and Center for Digital Democracy were concerned more about the impact the deal would have on consumers’ ability to protect their privacy than the possible antitrust implications of the acquisition.
Continue reading...Google Faces Criminal Probe in Hamburg on Wi-Fi Data
19. May 2010
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission received a letter on May 17 from Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica, California-based group that frequently criticizes Google, calling for an investigation into the Street View matter.
Continue reading...White House Reprimands Deputy CTO for Emails with Former Colleagues at Google
19. May 2010
Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson said in a release: “McLaughlin received a mild slap on the wrist.” Simpson has called for McLaughlin’s resignation saying a technology expert, not a policy expert, should be in the position.
Continue reading...US Deputy CTO Gets Reprimand for Google Lobbying Contacts
19. May 2010
What happens when Google’s former public policy director starts working in the White House—but continues to e-mail current Google lobbyists, and to take their e-mails? If you’re Consumer Watchdog, the answer is simple: he “should resign his position.”
Continue reading...Google Chief Eric Schmidt Downplays Wi-Fi Privacy Row
18. May 2010
In the US, advocacy group the Consumer Watchdog has written to the Federal Trade Commission urging it to investigate Google. “Google has demonstrated a history of pushing the envelope and then apologizing when its overreach is discovered,” said John M Simpson, of the group. “Given its recent record of privacy abuses, there is absolutely no reason to trust anything the Internet giant claims about its data collection policies.”
Continue reading...Google Contacts Trigger Reprimand for Obama Aide, Official Says
18. May 2010
The White House released the e-mails following a request by Santa Monica, California-based Consumer Watchdog, which says it works to protect American consumers and taxpayers. “He’s got too many ties to influence-peddling and it’s clear that those ties haven’t been completely cut,” said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate with the group, in an interview. “What makes it particularly irksome is that Obama made such a big deal about ending the revolving door of lobbyists.”
Continue reading...FTC Likely to Examine Google’s Wireless Gaffe
18. May 2010
Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog said Monday it was sending the FTC a letter urging the agency to investigate the mishap. John Simpson, the group’s consumer advocate, said he was concerned that Google’s promise to get third-parties to review the software in question was insufficient.
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21. May 2010