Insurance
Wealth As A Lever For Social Change
Tom Steyer wore the same plaid wool tie that he wore the last time, and the time before that, and the time…
Nov 19, 2012Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Privacy
Judge Approves $22.5M Google-FTC Settlement, Rebuffs Consumer Group
Summary: A US judge has rebuffed efforts by California-based Consumer Watchdog to derail Google's settlement with the FTC regarding the bypassing of…
Nov 19, 2012
Privacy
Federal Judge Approves FTC’s $22.5 Million Fine On Google
A federal judge has approved a $22.5-million fine against Google despite calls from a consumer advocacy group for a stiffer penalty. U.S.…
Nov 19, 2012
Privacy
Google Privacy Settlement With FTC Wins Court Approval
A federal judge on Friday approved a legal settlement in which Google (GOOG) agreed to pay a record fine of $22.5 million…
Nov 19, 2012
Privacy
Google Judge Accepts $22.5 Million FTC Privacy Settlement
Google Inc.’s $22.5 million agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to settle claims the company improperly planted cookies on Apple Inc.…
Nov 19, 2012
Video
KGO-TV ABC 7 SF – Privacy Advocates Protest The FTC’s $22.5 Million Fine Of Google
Consumer Watchdog has lost its fight to make Google face a stiffer penalty for sidestepping privacy settings in Apple's web browser. The…
Nov 18, 2012
Privacy
Judge Leaning Toward OK Of $22.5M Fine Of Google
A proposed $22.5 million fine to penalize Google for an alleged privacy breach is on the verge of winning court approval, despite…
Nov 17, 2012
Privacy
Google Judge Says She May Approve $22.5 Million FTC Deal
A federal judge said she may approve Google Inc.’s $22.5 million agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over claims the company…
Nov 17, 2012
Privacy
Senators Tell FTC To Put Brakes On Antitrust Cases Against Tech Companies
With reports swirling that the Federal Trade Commission is readying an antitrust case against Google, some Republican senators say the agency should…
Nov 16, 2012
Video
KNB-TV 4 LA – Study: California Refineries Operated During Periods Blamed for Gas Price Spikes
The October spike, which mostly affected California, was found to be about 66 cents higher per gallon of gasoline than should have…
Nov 15, 2012
In The News
Ballot Measure Scorecard: Editorial Board Positions On CA Propositions
Election Day is now just days away. As a public service, we are sending you the positions of the major newspaper editorial…
Nov 3, 2012
Video
KGO-TV ABC 7 SF – Is The Prop 33 Discount Really A Discount?
On Election Day, California voters will decide on Proposition 33 which would change the way insurance companies charge for their auto policies…
Nov 3, 2012
Video
KNBC-TV 4 LA – Hyundai Busted Lying About Their Fuel Economy Following CW Complaint to EPA
Following Consumer Watchdog's letters to the EPA and the White House, the EPA found Hyundai incorrectly tested many of its vehicles, including…
Nov 3, 2012
Privacy
Stop Billionaires From Buying the Vote
We have just one week to beat the insurance billionaires trying to buy this election. We plastered these posters around the streets…
Oct 30, 2012
Video
KTVU – Richard Holober discusses the false promise of Prop 33 “discounts”
Richard Holober discusses the false promise of Prop 33 "discounts"
Oct 26, 2012
Video
Prop 33 Debate, moderated by Conan Nolan
Jamie Court from Consumer Watchdog, and Rachel Hooper (as a paid spokesperson for the Yes side) debate the the real reasons why…
Oct 22, 2012
Insurance
California’s Billionaire Ballot: The Good, Bad, And Ugly
Populist governor Hiram Johnson gave Californians the ballot initiative one hundred and one years ago to combat the stranglehold of wealthy scions…
Oct 17, 2012
Insurance
Ad Watch: Prop. 33 Ad Misleads On Discounts, Spokesperson
Backers of Proposition 33 have run a series of TV ads depicting motorists who support the initiative, which would alter the way…
Oct 16, 2012