Inside Google

Online views soar in overwhelming response to Inside Google video

John M. Simpson

Response to our video “Don’t Be Evil?” lampooning Google and its CEO Eric Schmidt’s attitude toward privacy has been overwhelming since we launched it with a jumbotron digital ad in New York’s Times Square last week. Views  soared past the quarter million mark on Monday of the three-day holiday weekend. The satirical video shows Schmidt […]

Press Release

Google settles ‘Buzz’ suit; Texas opens antitrust probe

CONTACT: John M. Simpson

There were two major legal developments Friday involving Internet giant Google as the nation focused its attention on the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Both merit recapping, but unfortunately one is less of a victory for consumers than it might first appear. The other development could be a hint of huge problems to come for Google.

Erika Morphy

Rabid Consumer Watchdog Attacks Google CEO

Consumer Watchdog has created quite a stir with its Times Square jumbotron attack ad depicting Google CEO Eric Schmidt as a child predator. The so-called lampoon is designed to provoke outrage against Google’s perceived privacy intrusions, but some viewers may find the privacy group’s tactics even more outrageous. Consumer Watchdog’s Simpson shrugged off such criticism. “Sometimes, as an advocate, you want to focus attention on an issue — and if someone calls you crazy, then you put on your thick skin and smile, because that means they are focusing on the issue,” he said. “As long as people are talking about the issue seriously, we are happy.”

Consumer Watchdog Thinks Google’s Schmidt is a Data Perv

Robert X. Cringely

Imagine wandering through Times Square and seeing a 60-foot-tall animation depicting you (yes, you) as a creepy child-baiting ice cream truck driver. How would you feel? That’s probably the question Google’s Eric Schmidt is being asked today.

Consumer Group Lampoons Google CEO Over Privacy Issues

Jaikumar Vijayan

Consumer Watchdog, a group that has been a sharp critic of Google’s privacy practices in the past, is at it again. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer advocacy group has placed an ad on a 540-square-foot digital display in New York’s Times Square to promote an animated video on YouTube that depicts Google CEO Eric Schmidt as an ice cream truck driver secretly spying on children.

Oh Snap! Consumer Watchdog kicks Google and CEO Schmidt HARD!

Staff Writers

Picture a 540-square-foot animated ad, a cartoon video mocking Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt; now picture it running twice an hour, 36 times per day, in New York’s Times Square. Consumer Watchdog has launched a huge and very public campaign against Google, highlighting its concerns over Google’s privacy policies and the need for Congress to enact a national ‘Do Not Track Me’ list. The massive cartoon digital advertisement is titled “Don’t Be Evil?” The avatar-style animation features Schmidt driving an ice cream truck and offering “free” ice cream while he secretly spies on children.

We have taken the “Do Not Track Me” fight to Times Square!

Jamie Court

Right now, running twice an hour in Times Square, there’s a 540 sq. ft. animation of Google CEO Eric Schmidt giving little kids free ice cream and secretly gathering their personal information.
We put up the ad to make the public aware of how out of touch Schmidt and Google are when it comes to our privacy rights.

Consumer Watchdog Group Goes After Google

Nick Bilton

Consumer Watchdog, a consumer group, has long been critical of Google and some of the comments that Eric Schmidt, the company’s chief executive, has made about privacy online.

Video Mocks Google’s Privacy Practices

Juliana Gruenwald

Consumer Watchdog has launched a rather unique effort in its bid to highlight its concerns over Google’s privacy policies and to push Congress to allow consumers to opt out of having their Web activities tracked by online firms.

Consumer Watchdog Takes “Do Not Track Me” Campaign to Times Square With Animated Video Targeting Google CEO’s Lack of Respect For Privacy

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog’s InsideGoogle.com has taken its online privacy campaign to New York’s Times Square, where it has purchased a 540 sq. ft. Jumbotron digital advertisement promoting an animated video satirizing Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s attitude toward consumer privacy.