Privacy
You Can Count On Google For Self-Serving Spin
One thing is for certain when it comes to the Internet giant, whether you now refer to it as Alphabet or still…
Nov 13, 2015John 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
Consumer Watchdog Vows To Press Case For Online Privacy At Google and Facebook After FCC Rejects Petition For Rules Covering Largest Online Companies
SANTA MONICA, CA – In the wake of the Federation Communication Commission’s denial of its petition seeking online privacy protections at online…
Nov 6, 2015
Google Trims 3rd Quarter Lobbying To $3.65 Million But Still Leads 16 Tech Firms; Oracle, Amazon Outlays Soar As Facebook Posts 3rd Quarter Record $2.59 Million
SANTA MONICA, CA – Google trimmed its 2015 third-quarter federal lobbying spending 7 percent to $3.65 million from $3.94 million in the…
Oct 21, 2015
Privacy
Markey, Franken And Barton Blast Proposed W3C Do Not Track Standard
Three federal lawmakers have criticized an Internet standards setting organization’s proposed Do Not Track standard because they say it gives an unfair…
Oct 11, 2015
Privacy
Big Privacy Victory As Gov. Brown Signs CalECPA
Californians won a major privacy victory Thursday that catches protections up with modern technology. Gov.
Oct 9, 2015
California DMV Will Post Autonomous Vehicle Accident Reports On Its Website; Move Comes After Suggestion From Consumer Watchdog, But More Action Needed
SANTA MONICA, CA – The California Department of Motor Vehicles today said it will now post all autonomous vehicle accident reports on…
Oct 9, 2015
Privacy
Open Letter To San Francisco: Consumer Watchdog Opposes Proposition F On Privacy Grounds
A number of San Franciscans have inquired about Consumer Watchdog’s position on Proposition F, which San Francisco voters will consider at the…
Oct 7, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Welcomes EU High Court Ruling Invalidating Data Transfer Deal
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog welcomed a ruling today by the Court of Justice of the European Union that invalidates the…
Oct 6, 2015
Privacy
European High Court To Issue Key Privacy Ruling On Tuesday Affecting U.S. Tech Companies
The Court of Justice of the European Union will rule Tuesday on the validity of the U.S.-European Union “Safe Harbor” deal covering…
Oct 5, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Petitions California DMV To Amend Driverless Car Testing Rules To Require Police To Investigate Accidents; Companies To Provide Video, Tech Data
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today formally petitioned the California Department of Motor Vehicles to amend its driverless car testing regulations…
Sep 24, 2015
Privacy
Will Google Choose The Next President?
Many of us worry that companies with an abundance of cash and a willingness to use it can unfairly influence elections and…
Aug 21, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Tells DMV Police Must Investigate Robot Car Crashes
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to amend its Autonomous Vehicle Regulation to…
Aug 20, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Calls On Justice Department To Block Expedia-Orbitz Merger
SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to block the proposed $1.3 billion merger of…
Aug 10, 2015
Google’s New Corporate Structure Changes Nothing About Company’s Impact On Consumers’ Privacy; It’s Still The Internet Giant, Consumer Watchdog Says
SANTA MONICA, CA – Google’s announcement today that it is creating a new holding company called “Alphabet” changes nothing about the company’s…
Aug 10, 2015
Privacy
Graphic Photos Underscore Need For U.S. “Right To Be Forgotten”
The failure of search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing to honor the “right to be forgotten” in the United States is…
Aug 2, 2015
Ad Association Misses The Point Of Right To Be Forgotten, Says Consumer Watchdog; Public Interest Group Says Consumer Privacy Protections Are Not Censorship
SANTA MONICA, CA -- Consumer Watchdog today said an advertising association’s letter to the Federal Trade Commission misunderstands the Right To Be…
Jul 31, 2015
Privacy
Biggest Problem For Robot Cars May Be That People Don’t Want Them
Promoters of self-driving vehicles tout the supposed benefits the robot cars will bring such as improved road safety if all the technological…
Jul 29, 2015
U.S. Public Interest Group Warns European Commission About Apple’s Dominance of Streaming Music; Calls For Limiting Apple Tactics To Drive Out ‘Freemium’ Music
SANTA MONICA, CA -- The U.S. public interest group Consumer Watchdog today wrote European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager asking the Commission to…
Jul 27, 2015