Google CEO Eric Schmidt's resignation today from Apple's board underscored that it when comes to business, competition is thicker than friendship. Meanwhile, a consumer group, Consumer Watchdog, on Monday called on Genentech Board Chairman Arthur Levinson, who sits on the boards of Google and Apple, to quit one of them to avoid antitrust violations. In addition to conflicts that could arise from sitting on the boards of competing companies, Genentech is an investor with Google in the genetic testing company 23andMe run by Anne Wojcicki, wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Continue reading...Monday, August 3, 2009
Consumer Watchdog Wants Genentech Exec To Quit Google Or Apple Board Consumer Watchdog, formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, called on former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson to pick one board or the other. ?It took Eric Schmidt far too long to realize that the two roles are incompatible. That's not surprising considering the clubby atmosphere of Silicon Valley,? said John M. Simpson, a Consumer Watchdog consumer advocate, in a written statement. ?Nonetheless, we're glad Schmidt finally did the right thing. We call on Levinson to act responsibly and choose one company or the other.?
Continue reading...Monday, August 3, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it will continue to investigate the relationship between the boards of Apple Inc. and Google Inc., after Google's chief, Eric Schmidt, quit Apple's board on Monday. A consumer rights group criticized Schmidt for taking too long to leave Apple's board, and called on former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson to choose either Apple or Google. "Nonetheless, we're glad Schmidt finally did the right thing," Consumer Watchdog said in a statement. "We call on Levinson to act responsibly and choose one company or the other."
Continue reading...Monday, August 3, 2009
Santa Monica, CA -- Genentech Board Chairman Arthur D. Levinson should quit as a director of either Internet giant Google or Apple to avoid antitrust violations, Consumer Watchdog said today, following the resignation of Eric Schmidt from the Apple board. The call from the nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer group came after the announcement that Google Chairman and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, who held the same dual role, was stepping down from Apple’s board. The Federal Trade Commission has been investigating for several months whether Apple and Google had violated antitrust laws by sharing two directors.
Continue reading...Thursday, July 30, 2009
John Simpson, an advocate with non-profit group Consumer Watchdog, also said the Microhoo deal must be closely scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department and the European Commission to ensure that there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is guaranteed. "If the result of this deal is that there are two stronger Internet search enterprises who exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights, consumers are worse off, not better," said Simpson. "Users must have control of their data—whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can—and must—insist on this."
Continue reading...Thursday, July 30, 2009
Microsoft and Yahoo clearly are bracing for regulatory scrutiny. The news release emphasized that the two companies will "continue to compete vigorously" in other areas, including e-mail, instant messaging and display advertising. It also stressed that the agreement restricts the sharing of search and other data. Consumer Watchdog in Washington, D.C., called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to probe the deal for potential antitrust violations and privacy concerns.
Continue reading...Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Three-Into-Two Doesn't Wash Consumer Watchdog noted the competitive search and advertising landscape will deteriorate - not improve - if the result is two enterprises that exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights. John Simpson, an advocate with the group, said the FTC and DoJ must insist users retain control of their data, how it's used, and where its stored. "Users must have control of their data - whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can - and must - insist on this," he said in a statement.
Continue reading...Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Santa Monica CA -- The proposed 10-year partnership on Internet search and search advertising between Microsoft and Yahoo! must be closely scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department to ensure there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is guaranteed, Consumer Watchdog said today.
Continue reading...Thursday, July 23, 2009
Earlier this month the Network Advertising Initiative (NIA), a trade association that includes some of the biggest online advertising companies like Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft...
Continue reading...Friday, July 3, 2009
Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, also predicted the settlement would "pass muster" because it opens up new markets. But those concerned about the settlement said they were pleased with the Justice Department's letter. "This is now a clear step that they are taking the matter seriously." said John M. Simpson, an advocate for Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit consumer group.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
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