Tag Archive | "security"
Google Settles With Feds, Apologizes (Again) For Buzz Privacy Blunder
John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project, said the FTC should have gone further and actually fined the search giant. “Nothing will completely stop Google from invading users’ privacy until it gets hit where it hurts, its bank accounts,” he said in a statement.
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...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’s Tarnished Chrome
Friday, March 11, 2011
Consumer Watchdog asked House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., to examine Google’s close ties with the Obama administration. It also wants a broader Justice Department investigation of Google along the lines of the years-long antitrust probe of Microsoft, which culminated in a 2002 settlement with the government.
Continue reading...Do Not Track Our Online Data
Friday, March 4, 2011
The do not track concept is supported across all demographic lines -- including political persuasions. According to Consumer Watchdog, 86 percent of Americans want a “Do Not Track” button created. In addition, 70 percent of Facebook members and 52 percent of Google users say they are either "somewhat" or "very concerned about their privacy, according to a recent a recent USA Today poll.
Continue reading...Lawmakers Urged To Probe Google Social Security Controversy
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A frequent Google critic Thursday called on the House co-chairmen of the Congressional Privacy Caucus to push for hearings into Google's request for the last four digits of the Social Security numbers from children seeking to participate in an art contest the Internet firm sponsored.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Asks House Privacy Caucus Chairmen to Seek Hearing After Google Gathers Children’s Social Security Data
Thursday, February 24, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- Consumer Watchdog today asked Rep. Ed Markey, D-MA, and Rep. Joe Barton, R-TX, to seek hearings examining why Google gathered children’s social security numbers in entry forms for its “Doodle 4 Google” contest. The hearing should also investigate the Wi-Spy scandal.
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Calls On FTC To Enact Do Not Track, Says Force Of Law Needed
Friday, February 18, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today called on the Federal Trade Commission to create a “Do Not Track Me” mechanism to protect consumers’ online privacy and added that such a mechanism must have the force of law behind it.
Continue reading...In Calif., Obama Woos Tech Moguls
Thursday, February 17, 2011
One potentially rough patch for Obama is Google. The company has pending business before the Department of Justice, which has yet to rule on the company’s attempt to acquire the online travel booking company ITA, and recently drew criticism for skipping a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on rogue web sites. Consumer Watchdog, a California nonprofit long critical of Google’s business practices, pronounced itself “deeply distressed to learn that President Obama is meeting with Google CEO Eric Schmidt today behind closed doors as the Justice Department is poised to render its [Justice Department] decision.”
Continue reading...Consumer Watchdog Welcomes New Senate Privacy Panel, Calls For Wi-Spy and Do Not Track Hearings
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — Consumer Watchdog today welcomed the creation of a new Senate subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, to be chaired by Sen. Al Franken, D-MN, and urged the panel to hold hearings on the Google Wi-Spy scandal. The nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group also said the new committee should consider Do Not Track Me legislation.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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