John 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
You Can Join Consumer Groups’ Washington Online Privacy Discussion
Do you care about online privacy? Then join me on Tuesday morning at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, where a…
Oct 9, 2011
Consumer Watchdog Joins Call For FTC Investigation Of Facebook For Violating Users’ Privacy By Continued Tracking And New “Frictionless Sharing†Feature
Santa Monica, CA -- Consumer Watchdog today joined the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and other privacy groups in asking the Federal…
Sep 29, 2011
Privacy
Google’s Monopoly Power Raises More Concerns
More examples of Google's powerful grip on the Internet surfaced this week and its acquisition of the venerable restaurant reviewer, Zagat, raised…
Sep 9, 2011
Consumer Watchdog Asks Senate Antitrust Committee To Require Google CEO Larry Page to Testify
SANTA MONICA, CA – Citing recent revelations that Google CEO Larry Page condoned Google’s criminal violation of laws prohibiting the importation of…
Aug 31, 2011
Privacy
Prosecutor says Larry Page knew Google was breaking the law
It became clear over the weekend why Google agreed to a whopping $500 million settlement with the Justice Department to end criminal…
Aug 30, 2011
Video
John M. Simpson on Google’s $500 Million Drug Ads Settlement
Consumer Watchdog's John M. Simpson discusses Google's $500 Million Drug Ads Settlement on Bloomberg News.
Aug 25, 2011
Consumer Watchdog Praises Justice Department For Forcing Google’s $500 Million Forfeiture Over Illegal Ads; Settlement Represents Only Tip Of Iceberg, Group Says
SANTA MONICA, CA -- Consumer Watchdog praised the U.S. Justice Department today for forcing Google to forfeit $500 million because it allowed…
Aug 24, 2011
Privacy
Facebook to improve privacy settings
Facebook apparently is beginning to understand that users of the social networking site care about their privacy and would like simple control…
Aug 24, 2011
Privacy
FTC says it’s ‘carefully monitoring’ online tracking
I just received an encouraging letter from the Federal Trade Commission assuring me that its Division of Privacy and Identity Protection is…
Aug 19, 2011
Privacy
We need a right to be forgotten
I remember as a young newspaper reporter going to different jurisdictions where public records were kept and putting together background information on…
Aug 12, 2011
Privacy
Is Google adding a default security setting?
One of the dangers of using public Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops and the like is that anybody else on the network…
Aug 9, 2011
Privacy
Should you believe what Eric Schmidt says, or what Google does?
Actions speak louder than words. That's why I'm not putting much stock in what Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt says anymore.
Jul 25, 2011
Insurance
Google: Just another corporation …
Part of Google's appeal has been the way its executives have been able to portray the Internet giant as not a typical…
Jul 22, 2011
Google and Facebook Lobbying Expenditures Soar to Records; Consumer Watchdog Asks If Eric Schmidt Should Register As A Lobbyist
SANTA MONICA, CA -- Google and Facebook pumped record amounts into their lobbying efforts during the second quarter, according to just filed…
Jul 21, 2011
Privacy
Google and Facebook lobby expense reports likely to set new records Wednesday
Lobbying expenditure reports are due to be filed with the the Senate Office of Public Records Wednesday and you can expect record…
Jul 19, 2011
Consumer Watchdog Asks FTC To Probe Online Advertising Firms’ Deceptive Practices
WASHINGTON, DC – Consumer Watchdog today called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate eight online advertising companies for violating their privacy…
Jul 14, 2011