Consumer Watchdog Urges Gov. Brown To Veto Google’s Driverless Car Bill
SANTA MONICA, CA – California Gov. Jerry Brown should veto a bill that allows Google’s driverless cars on the highway because it…
Sep 10, 2012John M. Simpson
John M. Simpson is an American consumer rights advocate and former journalist. Since 2005, he has worked for Consumer Watchdog, a nonpartisan nonprofit public interest group, as the lead researcher on Inside Google, the group's effort to educate the public about Google's dominance over the internet and the need for greater online privacy.
Articles by John M. Simpson
Privacy
Obama Ad Libs, Snubs Google In Acceptance Speech
Consumer Watchdog has long been critical of the way Google has had easy access to the corridors of power in the Obama…
Sep 9, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Says FCC Plan To Measure Mobile Data Speeds Falls Short
WASHINGTON, DC -– The Federal Communications Commission’s plan to launch a program to measure mobile broadband service performance in the United States…
Sep 5, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Wins Right To Oppose $22.5 Million Google Settlement With FTC
SAN FRANCISCO – A U.S. District Court Judge has granted Consumer Watchdog the right to oppose Google's record $22.5 million settlement with…
Aug 29, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Asks FCC to Require Cell Phone Companies to Disclose Data Speeds; Group Cites Widespread Misleading ‘4G’ Claims
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Citing deceptive and confusing advertising by mobile phone companies concerning data speeds, Consumer Watchdog today petitioned the Federal Communications…
Aug 23, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Asks Judge for Permission to Oppose FTC Settlement With Google
SAN FRANCISCO – Consumer Watchdog has filed a motion in U.S. District Court asking that it be allowed to oppose the $22.5…
Aug 22, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Praises Judge’s Decision Rejecting Proposed Settlement In Facebook “Sponsored Stories” Privacy Settlement
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog praised Judge Richard Seeborg’s rejection late Friday afternoon of a proposed settlement in a class action…
Aug 17, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Calls On California Legislature To Require Consumer Privacy Protections On Google’s Driverless Cars; Group Terms Earlier Amendment Inadequate
SANTA MONICA, CA -- Google’s driverless cars should not be allowed on U.S. highways unless adequate privacy protections for users of the…
Aug 13, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Urges Regulators To Block Google’s Purchase of Frommer’s Travel Guides
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on federal antitrust regulators to block Google’s purchase of Frommer’s travel guides.
Aug 13, 2012
FTC’s $22.5 Million Penalty For Google Is Insufficient Without Admission Of Wrongdoing, Consumer Watchdog Says; Group Hopes To Block Settlement
SANTA MONICA, CA – The Federal Trade Commission’s record $22.5 million penalty against Google is inadequate unless the Internet giant admits its…
Aug 9, 2012
Privacy
Judge Orders Google, Oracle To Reveal Any Payments To Writers
Ever wonder who is behind some of the opinions expressed by various bloggers. Could it be that some are being paid to…
Aug 8, 2012
Privacy
Judge Skeptical Of Proposed Settlement In Facebook ‘Sponsored Stories’ Suit
A Federal District Judge apparently shares at least some of Consumer Watchdog's concerns about a proposed settlement in the Facebook 'Sponsored Stories'…
Aug 3, 2012
Privacy
Google Claims Another Wi-Spy “Mistake” After Breaking Promise
Google admitted Friday to the British data protection authorities that it failed to keep its promise to destroy data its Street View…
Jul 27, 2012
Privacy
Google Antitrust Deal In Europe Would Impact U.S.
Google -- facing the possibility of a penalty of around $4 billion -- is trying to cut a deal with European antitrust…
Jul 25, 2012
Google CEO Larry Page Has Lost His Voice, But Internet Giant Continues Spending Record Sums To Be Heard In Washington; Facebook Also Sets Record
WASHINGTON, DC – Google and Facebook continued pumping record amounts of money into their lobbying efforts during the second quarter to influence…
Jul 23, 2012
Consumer Watchdog Warns California’s Medical Privacy Law Could Be Weakened
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog warned today that an attempt to “harmonize” California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act with the federal…
Jul 20, 2012
Privacy
Obama Administration Needs To Change Privacy Tactics
The Obama Administration launched its "multistakeholder" privacy deliberations last week, but its difficult to see how there will be meaningful results unless…
Jul 16, 2012
Don’t Allow Google’s Driverless Cars On Our Highways Without Strong Privacy Protection, Consumer Watchdog Tells California Assembly Transportation Committee
SACRAMENTO, CA – Google’s driverless cars should not be allowed on our highways unless strong privacy protections for users of the new…
Jun 25, 2012