Google officials have called the use of tracking cookies an accident caused by technical glitches that have been corrected. Privacy advocates have scoffed at those explanations. “When they get caught with their fingers in the cookie jar doing something they clearly should not be doing, they say, ‘Oops, it was completely by accident,’ ” said John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, based in Santa Monica, Calif., and one of several groups to file complaints about Google’s alleged tracking on Apple browsers.
Continue reading...Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The FTC's proposed fine was applauded by Consumer Watchdog, a frequent critic of Google's privacy practices. The penalty "sends a strong message about the seriousness of Google's wanton and egregious privacy violation," said John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog's privacy project.
Continue reading...Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Group Complained to Commission After Grad Student Discovered iPads, iPhones Were Hacked SANTA MNICA, CA – The Federal Trade Commission reportedly plans to fine Google $22.5 million for hacking around privacy settings on iPhones and iPads that use Apple’s Safari browser. Consumer Watchdog praised the Commission today for its expected strong action defending consumer privacy.
Continue reading...Sunday, July 1, 2012
What do autonomous cars driven by robots like those Google is developing have to do with your privacy? If the answer is nothing, then why won't Google and the author of a bill to allow them on California highways accept an amendment requiring that the new technology collect only data necessary for the operation of the vehicle and no other purpose?
Continue reading...Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Online advertisers and privacy advocates generally agree that Do Not Track options should be available on Web browsers. However, there's much debate about whether DNT should be opt-in or opt-out. "The privacy-friendly thing is to have DNT on by default," said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. But advertisers say turning on DNT by default would essentially deprive consumers of choice.
Continue reading...Monday, June 25, 2012
Consumer Watchdog says Google is going to go willy-nilly with data collection for autonomous vehicles, and the California bill shouldn’t get the green light without more restrictions. Internet companies do whatever they want and it needs to stop, a consumer group said in an argument calling for more privacy protection in robotic cars. Consumer Watchdog […]
Continue reading...Monday, June 25, 2012
Consumer Watchdog, which has long dogged Google on its data gathering practices, asked the committee to include language restricting the operators of the robotic cars to only gathering data that is necessary to run the car. The bill's analysis said it was difficult to define what data is necessary to run the car, but called for companies to disclose all information gathered.
Continue reading...Monday, June 25, 2012
SACRAMENTO, CA – Google’s driverless cars should not be allowed on our highways unless strong privacy protections for users of the new technology are implemented, Consumer Watchdog told the California Assembly’s Transportation Committee today.
Continue reading...Thursday, June 21, 2012
Group Plans To Ask Google Executives What They Knew About Wi-Spy MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Consumer Watchdog today sent its “Google Track Team” comprised of mimes dressed in white track suits to follow shareholders as they gathered for the company’s annual meeting in a bid to focus attention on the Internet giant’s online tracking activity.
Continue reading...Thursday, June 21, 2012
A theatrical moment occurred before the meeting, when a watchdog group dressed up as "the Google Track Team" to protest what it viewed as the company's less-than-exemplary privacy policies. The protesters, from Consumer Watchdog, tried to "track" Google employees and shareholders as they checked in for the meeting. Google's security team was not amused.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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