Tag Archive | "lack of transparency"
Consumer Watchdog Asks Senate Panel To Explore Breakup of Google; Asks FTC to Open Inquiry Into Deceptive Mortgage Advertisements
WASHINGTON, DC – Consumer Watchdog today told a Senate committee that Google’s reach is so pervasive on the Internet that consumers cannot avoid its massive data collection apparatus. The public interest group said one possible remedy is breaking up the Internet giant, which exercises monopoly power over search and consumer data. Do Not Track regulations are necessary to protect consumers from the Internet giant’s pervasive data collection.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Channeling Marcel Marceau
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Consumer Watchdog plans to deploy a group of mimes wearing white track suits emblazoned with Google's "Don't Be Evil" motto Wednesday, just as Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The mimes will mercilessly track senators and their staffers as they move through the Dirksen Senate office building..
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog’s New Animated Video Satirizes Google Executives And Challenges Google’s Information Monopoly On Eve of Schmidt’s Senate Testimony
Monday, September 19, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Watchdog’s latest online animated video debuted today, satirizing Google CEO Larry Page and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to dramatize Google’s information monopoly and make the case for Do Not Track Legislation. The video, “Supercharge,” exposes actual quotes by the executives and shows the two Google executives stalking a United States Senator through the signal in his Android mobile phone.
Continue reading...Political Theater Will Follow Google’s Schmidt to D.C.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
While there are plenty of groups worried about Internet privacy, few have gone to the lengths of Consumer Watchdog, which relishes its role as a thorn in Google's side. In addition to the videos, the group has sponsored conferences, written editorials, and taken out ads, all aimed at focusing a spotlight on Google's conduct. Its primary concern is that Google is gathering a huge trove of personal information, much of it without consumers' knowledge. Worse still, according to the group, is that consumers are powerless to stop it. Consumer Watchdog's Court refers to the data that Google is able to amass as "an information monopoly."
Continue reading...Google’s Monopoly Power Raises More Concerns
Friday, September 9, 2011
More examples of Google’s powerful grip on the Internet surfaced this week and its acquisition of the venerable restaurant reviewer, Zagat, raised new concern about how the Internet giant will use its monopoly power in the future. Being a monopoly is not in itself illegal. If you developed the position naturally without breaking any laws, […]
Continue reading...Does Google Want to Own or Organize Information?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"This is exactly why Google is on the hot seat for antitrust," said Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court, an activist and frequent thorn in Google side. "This is when the search engine becomes the find engine."
Continue reading...Europe Taking Much Stricter Stance On Do-Not-Track Rules
Thursday, September 1, 2011
John Simpson, spokesman for the non-profit Consumer Watchdog advocacy group says "the Europeans have exactly the right approach. They are asking that a consumer must be given the right to opt in before a cookie is placed." Simpson says the IAB's icon alert mechanism is "mostly window dressing." He says if European regulators do end up imposing a strict opt-in rule across Europe, Google, Facebook and the other data aggregators and ad networks will be forced to comply to do business in Europe.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Asks Senate Antitrust Committee To Require Google CEO Larry Page to Testify
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Group Cites DOJ Investigation That Found He Condoned Illegal Activity SANTA MONICA, CA – Citing recent revelations that Google CEO Larry Page condoned Google’s criminal violation of laws prohibiting the importation of drugs to U.S. consumers by Canadian pharmacies, Consumer Watchdog called on the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee to require him to testify at its planned hearing in September.
Continue reading...Prosecutor says Larry Page knew Google was breaking the law
Monday, August 29, 2011
It became clear over the weekend why Google agreed to a whopping $500 million settlement with the Justice Department to end criminal charges that it aided in the sale of illegal drugs from Canada. Co-founder and CEO Larry Page knew that the Internet giant was breaking the law.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Says Online Ad Industry Self-Regulation Fails to Protect Privacy; Calls for Congress to Enact Do Not Track Me Law
Monday, August 29, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- Consumer Watchdog said that the self-regulatory privacy program created by online advertisers and scheduled to take effect for some today fails to protect consumers from companies that track their behavior online. Legislation enacting a “Do Not Track Me” option is necessary to ensure consumers have an easy to use, effective and universal choice to avoid tracking, said Consumer Watchdog.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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