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Google unlikely to win GOP’s love
Google’s efforts to ingratiate itself with Republicans in the Congress with campaign contributions may not prevent the new House majority from making “trouble” for the search engine, according to a Capitol Hill weekly. “Saddled with the perception that it is a darling of the Obama administration, Google may have it tough with Republicans,” says The Hill. Google’s abandonment of net neutrality in favor of a more laissez faire approach favored by Verizon and other telecommunication companies eager to create a two-tiered Internet has gained the Internet giant no favor from Republicans. Instead, House Republicans are focusing on Google’s Achilles Heel: privacy.
Continue reading...FTC Endorses “Do Not Track Me,” Calls For A New Privacy Framework
1. December 2010
If you wonder if you are being followed online and if anything can be done about it, take a look at the just-out Federal Trade Commission report on online privacy. A frightening amount of information is available about us online and the Federal Trade Commission has endorsed the notion of a “privacy by design” build-in for […]
Continue reading...LIVE BLOG: Do Not Track, The Browser Solution
1. December 2010
In the first session of CW conference on online consumer protection, panelist Chris Soghoian, a privacy technologist, identified one key to the success of “Do Not Track” legislation: a browser-based solution. “Remember almost all browsers are supported by ad networks,” Soghoian reminded the audience at the National Press Club. “Internet Explorer was created by Microsoft […]
Continue reading...Google gets blurred in Germany
19. November 2010
There are fears, oft-discounted but still harbored by at least one Israeli intelligence official, that terrorists might use Google Street View to plan terrorist attacks. If so, Google’s offices in Munich are safer today, because they are blurred in Google Street View, according to CNET’s Technically Incorrect.
Continue reading...FBI at the backdoor to the Internet
19. November 2010
The Obama administration is advancing plans for strengthening the federal government’s ability to monitor the Internet.
Continue reading...What does Rep. Boucher’s fall mean for Internet privacy and Google?
3. November 2010
People who worry about online privacy and the intrusive practices of Internet companies like Google and Facebook are trying to figure out the impact of the election. One victim of the Republican juggernaut was a key Internet policy player, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. I don’t think his fall will slow the mounting drive to protect privacy. It will, however, mean one less pair of friendly ears on the Hill where Google lobbyists can whisper their policy goals.
Continue reading...Google dodges two bullets as Wi-Spy questions linger
3. November 2010
Google’s success at forging non-adversarial relationships with government regulators in the Anglo-American world is paying dividends for the Internet giant. Wednesday the British information commissioner in London declined to fine the Internet company for privacy violations in the United Kingdom for its Wi-Spying activities.
Continue reading...Google needs Chief Privacy Officer
1. November 2010
Google can to take one simple step to show that it cares about consumers’ privacy. The Internet giant simply needs to appoint a Chief Privacy Officer. Instead, in it’s latest bit of PR spin Google as it tried to deal with the fallout from the Wi-Spy scandal, the company has muddied the water with an executive structure that virtually assures to confuse and will ultimately fail.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog praises state Attorneys General for continuing Wi-Spy probe
29. October 2010
SANTA MONICA, CA — Consumer Watchdog today praised a coalition of state attorneys general led by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for continuing an investigation into Google’s Wi-Spying scandal in the wake of the Federal Trade Commission halting its probe earlier this week.
Continue reading...Google CEO’s creepy advice: ‘Just move’
25. October 2010
Maybe Google CEO Eric Schmidt thought he was making a joke, but you’d think by now — if he is at all serious about respecting consumers’ privacy — the billionaire executive would understand that privacy is not a laughing matter.
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8. December 2010