Privacy
Privacy controls on Google’s Buzz are backwards
Google turned its new "Buzz" social networking function on in my Gmail account today and I spent some time checking it out.…
Feb 11, 2010Consumer 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
Insurance
Probes Sought On Jump In Rates
Lawmakers quick to demand action on Anthem Blue Cross Angry lawmakers turned up the heat on Anthem Blue Cross on Tuesday, calling…
Feb 10, 2010
Insurance
Memo To Giant Health Insurance Companies
RACHEL MADDOW: In September, the group Consumer Watchdog alleged that the company was pressuring its own employees to write and call members…
Feb 10, 2010
Insurance
Ensuring Insurance Inequity
A California ballot item would legalize practices Mercury has been fined for. If passed, Proposition 17 would require insurers to…
Feb 10, 2010
Privacy
Google’s Buzz will give Internet giant even more data
Google launched its much anticipated social networking service, Buzz, today aimed a competing with sites like Facebook and Twitter....
Feb 10, 2010
Insurance
Blue Cross jumps the shark with 39% price hike
You know the phrase: You've "jumped the shark" by doing something too monumentally stupid to be believed. Blue Cross's shark-jumper was its…
Feb 9, 2010
Insurance
Mercury Insurance in Trouble for High Rates
There are major questions for a big auto insurance company over sky-high rates. A 275 page California Insurance Commission report obtained by…
Feb 9, 2010Blue Cross Claim That 39% Premium Hikes Due Only to ‘Escalating Cost of Health Care’ Trigger Calls For Regulation of Rates
Consumer Watchdog Also Warns Against Insurer-favored 'Cost Solution': Selling Policies That Amount To 'A Cardboard Box to Replace Our Apartment' Washington, DC…
Feb 9, 2010
Privacy
AdMob May Win Big Even As Privacy Debate Rages
It's these highly personalized capabilities that raise the hackles of privacy advocates, however. They raise a host of questions about "how the…
Feb 9, 2010
Insurance
History of Discrimination Cited Against Mercury Insurance
SACRAMENTO, CA -- Mercury Insurance Corp. has a history of discriminatory practices against an array of groups, including military personnel, that led…
Feb 9, 2010
Insurance
Lawmakers Want Insurer Scrutinized
Federal and state lawmakers called Monday for a closer examination of Mercury Insurance Group in the wake of a state report that…
Feb 9, 2010
Privacy
Google search ad, what dat?
Super Bowl XLIV wasn't only a first for the New Orleans Saints, it was also a landmark for Internet giant, Google. The…
Feb 9, 2010
Insurance
Blue Cross’s taste of what’s to come if health reform fails
Those of us who have health insurance--or think we have health insurance--can get complacent about whether the nation needs that big, complicated…
Feb 8, 2010
Insurance
Consumer Watchdog and Steve Poizner Behind Battle Against Mercury Insurance
Like many Californians, I was burned by Mercury auto insurance in the 90's. After my rates went up, despite a "discounted" quote…
Feb 8, 2010Internal Gov’t Reports Show Mercury Insurance Discriminated Against Soldiers Unemployed, Domestic Partners, Small Biz – Reveal Motive Behind Prop 17
Mercury Insurance Initiative – Prop 17 – Will Legalize Unlawful Surcharges Uncovered by State Investigators Santa Monica, CA -- Newly released internal…
Feb 8, 2010Consumer Watchdog Warns Against Making Financial Reform Bill Weaker on Consumer Protection Than Nation’s Largest Bank Will Accept
Calls on Sen. Dodd To Re-Affirm Commitment to Independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency Washington, DC -- Consumer Watchdog called on Senate Banking…
Feb 8, 2010
Insurance
Insurer May Have Violated Law, Report Reveals
A high-profile California insurance company that is backing a controversial insurance measure on the June ballot has engaged in practices that may…
Feb 8, 2010
Insurance
Chronicle reveals discrimination at Mercury Insurance, Soldiers targeted
In case all those ads about how great insurance companies are was starting to make you feel all fuzzy inside, Carla Marinucci…
Feb 8, 2010