Tag Archive | "Privacy"
Don’t Be Evil When You Sell, And Other Retail Resolutions
In November advocacy groups Center for Digital Democracy, U.S. PIRG, Consumer Watchdog, and the World Privacy Forum filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over “unfair and deceptive” advertising and data gathering practices at online health information and service sites.
Continue reading...Apple Lets Mobile Trackers Have a Field Day, Alleges Consumer Lawsuit
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
"It is clear that we need some kind of 'do not track' legislation for smartphones as well as online," John M. Simpson, a consumer advocate with Consumer Watchdog, told MacNewsWorld. This transmission of information was described as common in the Journal article, he noted -- and consumers have no recourse.
Continue reading...Former Google Lobbyist Resigns from White House
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, who has criticized McLaughlin's appointment from the start, wrote in a blog post: "It's good he's gone."
Continue reading...Ex-Googler Leaves The White House
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Former Google executive Andrew McLaughlin has resigned as Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, prompted at least in part, I think, by issues Consumer Watchdog raised.
Continue reading...When Analysts Look Over Their Shoulders
Thursday, December 23, 2010
"We're interested in the monopolistic power that Google has, how they are using it and whether it has disadvantaged consumers," said John Simpson, a director at Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...Smartphones Need “Do Not Track Me” Function, Consumer Watchdog Says
Monday, December 20, 2010
Santa Monica, CA — The Do Not Track Me function proposed in the Federal Trade Commission’s recently released online privacy report must be extended to include smartphones, Consumer Watchdog said today in the wake of a Wall Street Journal article showing how applications for the iPhone and Android phones widely share personal data without the users’ knowledge or consent.
Continue reading...Google Denies Connecticut AG Street View Data
Saturday, December 18, 2010
That answer isn't satisfactory for privacy pundits such as Consumer Watchdog's John M. Simpson. "Google's refusal to give data gathered by its Street View cars from private WiFi networks to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal underscores the need for a Congressional hearing," Simpson said. "What is Google hiding?
Continue reading...Commerce Deptartment Seeks Web Privacy Enforcement
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The idea of opening a Commerce Department privacy office, which officials said was underway, came under fire from the privacy group Consumer Watchdog, which said the office may not have enough of a consumer focus. "There is a fundamental conflict of interest in putting the administration's Privacy Policy Office in the Commerce Department," said John Simpson, a privacy expert with the group, whose sentiments were echoed by other privacy organizations.
Continue reading...Privacy Groups Critical Of Commerce Privacy Report
Thursday, December 16, 2010
While pleased that the agency is bringing attention to the need to do more to protect consumer privacy online, representatives from five privacy groups said in a conference call that the report's proposed measures are too focused on industry self regulation. It's a "Christmas gift to the data collection industry from the Obama administration," according to John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...Privacy Groups Pan Policy Paper from Commerce
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Commerce Department paper calls for an online privacy bill of rights and codes of conduct for Internet companies, with enforcement by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. But several privacy groups questioned whether the codes of conduct would be effective because of the paper's suggestion that affected companies help write them. The policy recommendations in the report are an "early Christmas gift to the data collection industry," said John Simpson, consumer advocate with Consumer Watchdog.
Continue reading...
Friday, December 31, 2010
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