Inside Google

Google, NSA Partnership Raises Privacy Hackles

James Temple

The revelation that Google Inc. is partnering with the National Security Agency to probe a widespread cyber attack has quickened the pulse of privacy advocates.

Google asking spy agency for help

John M. Simpson

Google has apparently gone to the super secret National Security Agency seeking help in preventing cyber attacks.

Press Release

DOJ Not Pleased With Latest Google Book Agreement

CONTACT: Elinor Mills

Although the amended settlement agreement for Google’s Book Search addressed some concerns the U.S. Justice Department had, it still could give the company anticompetitive advantages in the digital book marketplace, the agency said on Thursday. The nonprofit advocacy group Consumer Watchdog praised the Justice Department’s stance. "The settlement still abuses the class-action mechanism and purports to
enroll absent class members automatically into new business
‘opportunities,’ in violation of current copyright laws," Consumer
Watchdog reiterated from its friend-of-the-court brief opposing the
agreement as modified.

Google’s 5 principles pay lip service to privacy

John M. Simpson

Google decided to take note of International Data Privacy Day last week by publishing their five guiding privacy principles.  Here are the bullet points and there is …

FTC focusing on online privacy concerns

John M. Simpson

Online privacy protection for consumers has been built around the idea of "notice and choice" but it was clear to me at Thursday’s Federal Trade Commission…

Press Release

Last-Minute Objections Filed To Google Book Settlement

CONTACT: Chris Lefkow

Groups File Briefs In Google Books Case

Juliana Gruenwald

Consumer Watchdog urged the court to reject the settlement, saying
it’s anticompetitive and violates U.S. and international law. "This
scheme acts to the disadvantage of absent class members and would
result in unfair competitive advantages to Google in the search engine,
electronic book sales, and other markets, to the detriment of the
public interest. Along the way, the settlement raises significant
international law and privacy concerns," the group said in it’s brief.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Court To Reject Amended Google Books Deal

John M. Simpson

Brief Argues Books Settlement Continues Steal From Absent Class Members, Remains Anti-Competitive

WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today filed a brief urging a
federal court to reject the revised Google Books settlement because it
is remains anticompetitive and violates both U.S. and international
law.

Consumers Have A Right To Online Anonymity

Op-Ed By John M. Simpson

The FTC’s job is make sure that consumers have control of what data
is gathered, how it is used and how long it’s kept. Consumers must
first be able to see what data Google and the other online companies
have accumulated, then delete it if they wish or prevent it from being
gathered in the first place. Control is the key. Google could long ago have offered everyone a
simple "make me anonymous" button. But it’s not likely that Google or
any other company will voluntarily give us that control, because it
endangers their advertising profits.

Google toolbar privacy glitch shows need for tech recalls and rules

John M. Simpson

Harvard Professor Ben Edelman has just revealed that Google’s toolbar sent information about consumers’ web activity back to the Internet giant’s servers even when they thought they had disabled the toolbar.