Consumer Watchdog Praises FCC Action To Protect Broadband Customers’ Privacy
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog praised today’s vote by the Federal Communications Commission to start making rules that would protect the…
Mar 31, 2016John 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
NHTSA To Hold Public Meetings On Robot Cars After Consumer Groups Call For Open Process
The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminsitration (NHTSA) says it will hold public meetings about self-driving robot car technologies after a coalition of…
Mar 23, 2016
Insurance
NHTSA’s Voluntary Automatic Emergency Braking Deal Undercuts Auto Safety
The unprecedented deal between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and 20 automakers to voluntarily…
Mar 22, 2016
Consumer Watchdog Demands Google Release Its Video of Crash It Caused With Bus
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today demanded that Google release its own video of one of its self-driving robot cars crashing…
Mar 9, 2016
After Google Car Crashes Into Bus, Consumer Groups Call For Transparency, Public Involvement As DOT, NHTSA Develop Self-Driving Car Policies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of a Google self-driving car crashing into a bus, a coalition of consumer groups called on…
Mar 3, 2016
Google Robot Car Sideswipes Bus On Valentines Day; Consumer Watchdog Reiterates Call For Police Investigation, Release of Video and Technical Data Tied To Crash
SANTA MONICA, CA – A Valentine’s Day crash in which a self-driving Google robot car sideswiped a bus demonstrates the need for…
Feb 29, 2016
NHTSA Wrong To Say Computers Count As Drivers Of Robot Cars, Consumer Watchdog Says; Google’s Own Data Shows Human Drivers Are Needed Behind Wheel
SANTA MONICA, CA – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is wrong to say the artificial intelligence guiding an autonomous robot car…
Feb 10, 2016
Bikes, Pedestrians, Other Cars and Tree Branches Among Real-Road Scenarios Robot Cars Can’t Handle
SACRAMENTO, CA – Consumer Watchdog today strongly endorsed the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ draft regulations for autonomous vehicles that require self-driving…
Jan 28, 2016
Google’s 2015 Spending On Lobbying Tops $16 Million For Second Year, Leading 16 Tech And Communications Companies; Facebook, Amazon, Apple Post Records
SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s federal lobbying expenses in 2015 topped $16 million for the second year in a row, according to…
Jan 21, 2016
Consumer Watchdog Joins Call For FCC To Enact Strong Broadband Privacy Rules
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog joined a coalition of 59 groups calling on the Federal Communications Commission today to begin a…
Jan 20, 2016
Google’s Own Robot Car “Disengagement†Report Shows Need For Driver Behind Wheel, Consumer Watchdog Says; Group Calls for Release of Videos Of Incidents
SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s just released report detailing when human drivers took control of a self-driving robot car being tested underscores…
Jan 12, 2016
Don’t Be Fooled By Robot Car Hype At CES Gadget Show, Consumer Watchdog Warns
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumers and regulators should not be fooled by the autonomous vehicle hype coming out of the Consumer Electronics…
Jan 6, 2016
Consumer Watchdog Joins Coalition Opposing Data Security Bill That Would Weaken Consumer Protections
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today joined a coalition of 17 consumer and privacy groups in opposing the Data Security Act…
Dec 7, 2015
Don’t Rush Robot Car Rules, Consumer Watchdog Tells Transportation Secretary Foxx
SANTA MONICA, CA – Self-driving robot cars are not ready for public use and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must…
Dec 3, 2015
Airbnb Policy To Release Anonymized Data About Its Users Strikes Correct Balance Between Privacy Protections And Enforcement Needs, Consumer Watchdog Says
SANTA MONICA, CA – Airbnb’s release of anonymized data about people who use its site to rent their property “will give New…
Dec 1, 2015Consumer Watchdog Calls On NHTSA To Protect Drivers In Its New Robot Car Policy
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to put the safety of…
Nov 24, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Urges California DMV To Ignore Google’s Pressure, Continue Deliberate Pace To Act In Public Interest On Writing Robot Car Regulations
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to rebuff pressure from Google and continue…
Nov 20, 2015
Consumer Groups Call On Senator Boxer To Ensure Highway Bill Protects Road Safety
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog and the Consumer Federation of California today joined in calling on Sen. Barbara Boxer to ensure…
Nov 17, 2015