Privacy
Search Engines Beef Up Privacy Policies
But Some Say Not Enough Data Are Purged John Simpson, a consumer advocate with Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement, "If data…
Dec 17, 2008Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Energy
Dem Official: Obama Taps Mary Schapiro To Head SEC
WASHINGTON, DC — President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Mary Shapiro, a veteran of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to lead and revitalize…
Dec 17, 2008
Insurance
Will Your Insurance Rates Rise Or Fall?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- California's Insurance Department wants to change the rules that consumer activists say will stop protection for California consumers.…
Dec 12, 2008
Insurance
Panel Restricts Perks for Officials
Ethics Commission Tightens Rules on Municipal Employees Accepting Tickets to Concerts, Sport Events. The new rules "should reduce the number of tickets,…
Dec 12, 2008CA Fair Political Practices Commission Should Require Greater Disclosure, Accountability, for Candidates’ Ballot Initiative Fundraising
Rules Would Apply to All Ballot Measure Funds Controlled by Elected Officials Santa Monica, CA -- Political reform advocates at Consumer Watchdog…
Dec 11, 2008
Privacy
Perata Shifted $1.5 Million from PAC to His Legal Defense
The state Fair Political Practices Commission today will consider a new regulation that would require a candidate-controlled ballot measure committee such as…
Dec 11, 2008
Privacy
Shutting Down Public Access TV
AT&T and L.A. City Hall Quietly Lead a National Push to Silence the Little Guy For 19 years, Judy Dugan worked at…
Dec 11, 2008
Accountability
Fair Practices Panel Delays Action on ‘Slush Fund’ Rule
Carmen Balber, an advocate with Consumer Watchdog who wrote to the fair practices panel in support of the regulation, was at Thursday's…
Dec 11, 2008
Privacy
Board Sets Chairman’s Salary at $150,000
John Simpson, of the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, had proposed Klein's salary be capped at $200,000, about the same amount…
Dec 11, 2008New Poll Warns Daschle, Obama: Mandatory Health Insurance Big Loser With Public; Voters Want Return on Stem Cell Research
Santa Monica, CA -- Less than 15% of U.S. voters support, and 53% oppose, a proposal pushed by health insurers requiring every…
Dec 11, 2008
Privacy
Klein Will Get Paid to Head CIRM
The board had earlier established a full-time pay range for the CIRM chairman position at $275,000 to $508,750. Klein had requested that…
Dec 10, 2008
Insurance
Money Getting Tighter for Thinkers
(Click here to listen to audio of the radio broadcast of this segment.) Washington's 340 think tanks are hurting from new lows…
Dec 10, 2008
Healthcare
Stuck in the System
On Nov. 4, Alicia Messinger was strong enough to return home from the hospital, but a month later, she's still waiting for…
Dec 6, 2008
Privacy
Salary Plan At Stem Cell Institute Is Criticized
Governor Cites State Deficit In Opposing Leaders' Pay A consumer advocate who watches the institute's actions closely said he shares the governor's…
Dec 6, 2008
Privacy
Sometimes Google listens
Don't be shy about telling Google what you think of the company's activities. Sometimes the internet giant listens to what its users…
Dec 5, 2008
Insurance
Consumer Groups Seeking Investigations Into Flight Cancellations
Consumer advocacy groups want federal regulators and Congress to investigate whether U.S. airlines are canceling or rerouting flights at the last minute…
Dec 4, 2008California Energy Board Seeks To Put Remedy for ‘Hot Fuel’ Ripoff in Deep Freeze — Group Calls for Immediate Fix
Draft Report Accepts Industry Call for Ban on Temperature-Compensating Device, Denies Consumers Would Benefit From Any Remedy Santa Monica, CA -- A…
Dec 4, 2008
Energy
Warmer Weather Means Less Gas In Your Tank
California drivers were overcharged $376.4 million on gasoline in one year because fuel pumps don't adjust for changing temperatures, according to a…
Dec 4, 2008