Tag Archive | "politicians"
Google “Wi-Spy” Controversy Rages On, Raises More Questions
Consumer groups, however, were far from satisfied with the FTC's conclusion or with Google's apology. John Simpson, the director of the Inside Google project at the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, accused Google of getting a free pass from the government and pressed for further investigation and recourse for the company.
Continue reading...Gauntlet Thrown Down In Google Settlement
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
“My assessment of this is that the FTC is struggling mightily to do as much as it can, given the legal structure it’s got,” said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, which has urged the federal government to investigate Google in a number of areas. Simpson added the entire flap ultimately reflects the urgency with which Congress should pass a new law, preferably one that would allow consumers to opt-out of advertisements targeted to their browsing behavior, called “Do Not Track.”
Continue reading...Google, FTC Reach Google Buzz Privacy Settlement
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog welcomed the FTC settlement but said Google "needs to be punished and feel pain on its bottom line. Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users' privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts," Simpson said.
Continue reading...Will Schmidt Divest From Google to Become Commerce Secretary?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The strong buzz in Washington, DC is that Google CEO Eric Schmidt is President Obama's top choice for Commerce Secretary and an appointment is coming soon. The CEO who made billions collecting our personal information online and serving us up to advertisers, the guy who created online privacy problems, would head the federal agency responsible for developing and executing the administration's online privacy policies.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Praises FTC For Requiring Privacy Audits For Google, But Says Fines And Further Action Required
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog praised the Federal Trade Commission for requiring Google to submit to privacy audits for the next twenty years, but said the Internet giant should also face monetary penalties for its abuses. The nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group also called for government action to curtail Google’s anti-competitive practices.
Continue reading...Eric Schmidt Closing In On Top Commerce Job?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Consumer Watchdog, well-known for its opposition of Google — and Schmidt in particular — issued a release Thursday in opposition to a possible appointment. The group also sent a letter to Obama asking him not to nominate Schmidt for the position. “Putting Eric Schmidt in charge of policing online privacy is like appointing Bernie Madoff to direct the Securities Exchange Commission,” the release said.
Continue reading...Consumer Group: Google CEO Not Good For Commerce Post
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Frequent Google critic Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to the White House on Thursday blasting reports that outgoing Google chief executive Eric Schmidt is being considered to replace Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
Continue reading...Cause For Concern About Washington’s Privacy Drive
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Obama Administration threw its weight behind privacy legislation Wednesday as Assistant Commerce Secretary Lawrence Strickling testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about online privacy. Clearly Washington is focusing on privacy issues, but will meaningful consumer protections be enacted? There is cause for concern.
Continue reading...Consumer Groups Warn Obama Privacy Law Could Be Dominated By Industry
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A "multi-stakeholder process" to develop online privacy codes advocated today by the Obama Administration runs the risk of being dominated by industry and failing to protect consumers if it is not organized in a fair and balanced manner, six public interest groups warned. The groups include Consumer Watchdog, The Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Action, U.S. PIRG and the World Privacy Forum.
Continue reading...Google Faces More Washington Scrutiny
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee plan to examine Google's activities for possible antitrust violations, is the latest indication that the Internet giant's behavior is drawing increasingly skeptical -- and well deserved -- scrutiny in the nation's capital.
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Friday, April 1, 2011
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