Tag Archive | "lack of transparency"
Measure to Ease Video-Rental Privacy Curbs Catches Flack in Senate
The law would allow Netflix and other providers to share movie titles not only with social-media outlets such as Facebook, but also with third-party partners. Privacy advocates hate the proposal. "It is a horrible idea," Consumer Watchdog's John M. Simpson told TechNewsWorld.
Continue reading...Consumer Group Objects to Google’s Secret Briefing
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
"Your investigation into Google's practices that affect millions of Americans should be public," John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog's privacy project, wrote in this letter to Mack. "There is a substantial irony in a secret briefing from a company that claims its mission is to organize the world's information and make it more accessible."
Continue reading...One Privacy Policy To Rule Them All: What Google’s Controversial New Terms of Service Could Mean To You
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson points out that personalized advertisements targeted directly to a specific user, based on user-collected information, can be “a substantial amount” more lucrative than just an anonymous ad. And with all the information Google can collect about your interests from your searches, your Google Docs, and your favorite YouTube videos, they can figure out pretty specifically what ads they should show you. “They are positioning this as streamlining privacy,” Simpson says. “But that’s just PR. It’s all about better targeting for advertisers.”
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Urges Google Congressional Briefing Be Open To Public, Says Closed-Door Session Demonstrates Internet Giant Executives’ ‘Hypocrisy’
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called for a Congressional briefing about Google’s new privacy and data policies to be open to the public and said a closed door-session with the lawmakers demonstrated Google executive’s “hypocrisy.”
Continue reading...Facebook Critics Hope IPO Forces Some Hard Questions
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
"It's hard to predict exactly what sort of gaffe they’ll do next, but it would not surprise me if there is yet another one," said John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, noting some concerns over Facebook’s recent expansion of its Timeline feature, which makes it easier to visualize, share, and view users’ profile history.
Continue reading...Facebook’s IPO May Be the Last Straw for Privacy-Minded Users
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Even as a private company, Facebook had no problem pushing the envelope, Consumer Watchdog spokesperson Carmen Balber told the E-Commerce Times. "Facebook is already treading dangerous waters as far as privacy rights are concerned. The pressure to monetize consumers' user data will be greater when there are shareholders to satisfy."
Continue reading...Privacy Advocates, Businesses Dig In for EU Lobbying Campaign
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Facebook, et al., have descended on the city in the hope of softening some of the restrictions, while privacy advocates such as John M. Simpson, the Privacy Project director at Consumer Watchdog, are there to keep the EU on its intended path.
Continue reading...Google Centers Privacy Policies Around Google+
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
This privacy practice changes will likely also provoke protests from the Electronic Information Privacy Center, which is currently opposing Search, plus your world, as well as the Consumer Watchdog agency.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Says Sweeping Online Data Protection In Europe Could Benefit U.S. Consumers
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Google's New Arrogant Data Consolidation Policy Underscores Need For Strong Protections BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Landmark online privacy regulations proposed in Europe today that include the concept of a "right to be forgotten" could help provide U.S. consumers with tools necessary to protect their data held by Internet giants like Google, Facebook and Microsoft, if ultimately enacted, Consumer Watchdog said today.
Continue reading...Who Would Pay $5,000 to Use Google? (You)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The European Union announced new proposals Wednesday to keep online data private. In the U.S., there is a growing chorus of lawmakers who want to do the same . Currently, there are no state or federal limits on what information can be collected or with whom it can be shared, according to John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, a California-based non-profit organization. Online data gathered can also be used in marketing housing, insurance, and financial services, Simpson says.
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Thursday, February 2, 2012
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