Consumer 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
Gas Pump Glug, Glug Is 15¢ Less Per Gallon — For Investors, Oil Stocks Lose Sheen
Gasoline prices have dropped 15 cents in the past 20 days and are heading lower. But prices at the pump aren’t going…
Jul 10, 2009Google Is Faulted On Privacy
A group critical of Google's privacy practices got a jump on the search giant yesterday. Consumer Watchdog, which accuses Google of spying…
Jul 10, 2009Google Posts Advertising ‘Spin Document’ Online
Well, it's a good nod to almost-transparency, anyway. But just so you remember: Google would have preferred you not see these materials…
Jul 9, 2009Secret Google Presentation Defends Invasive Behavioral Ads
Consumer Watchdog Releases Satirical Annotated Version, Says Cyber-Spying Should Raise Lawmaker Alarms Over Internet Giant’s New ‘Net-based Operating System
Jul 9, 2009Consumer Watchdog Takes On Google As Lawmakers Mull Data Privacy Regulation
Consumer Watchdog -- which, as the name implies is a consumer watchdog organization -- is raising alarms over privacy concerns that have…
Jul 8, 2009California Sued Over Regulation of Autism Treatments
The lawsuit, filed by Consumer Watchdog in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims DMHC has permitted the denial of "critically needed, medically necessary"…
Jul 8, 2009Groups Can Guide Confused Patients
Consumer Watchdog, the non-profit organization, with offices in California and Washington, D.C., looks out for patients in a number of ways. Its…
Jul 7, 2009Let’s do the [lobbying] numbers
I love hard numbers. Like 350. That's how many high-ranking former Congressional and White House staff, many of them tied to today's…
Jul 6, 2009CSU Chancellor Hires 2 Lobbyists Without Bids
California State University Chancellor Charles Reed has retained high-priced lobbyists without competitive bidding, even though CSU has a Sacramento office where it…
Jul 6, 2009DOJ Launches Formal Investigation Into Google Book Search Settlement
The Department of Justice confirms its investigation into whether Google's $125 million Book Search settlement violates U.S. antitrust laws. Opponents fear the…
Jul 3, 2009Justice Probes Antitrust Issues In Google Deal With Publishers
Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, also predicted the settlement would "pass muster" because it opens up new markets. But…
Jul 3, 2009Justice Is Probing Google’s Book Deal
The Justice Department on Thursday said it had launched a formal antitrust investigation into the proposed settlement over the Google Inc. project…
Jul 3, 2009DOJ Officially Opens Investigation Into Google Book Search
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday that it is investigating a settlement involving Google Book Search for possible antitrust violations,…
Jul 2, 2009Suit Alleges California Lets Insurers Deny Treatment For Autistic Kids
A nonprofit consumer group has filed a lawsuit against state regulators alleging they allow insurance companies to deny necessary but expensive treatment…
Jul 2, 2009Mercury General Using Guise Of Benevolence To Assault Prop. 103
...one should wonder why Mercury, which is already one of the leading insurers in the state, would spend heavily to make its…
Jul 2, 2009Autism Patients’ Treatment Is Denied Illegally, Group Says
Consumer Watchdog asks a judge to order the state Department of Managed Health Care to enforce the law and require insurers to…
Jul 2, 2009Group Sues Calif. Regulators Over Autism Care
Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica group that monitors insurance practices, has asked the court to order the Department of Managed Health Care…
Jul 1, 2009