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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Google is the Largest Tech Lobbyist of the US Government

Google is the Largest Tech Lobbyist of the US Government

<p><a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/google-leads-pack-10-tech-firms-pump-6115-million-2013-lobbying-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Watchdog</a>, a nonprofit team dedicated to keeping track of special interests groups in Washington, has released their latest report on the top US tech firm lobbyists.</p>
WSJ: Google Donating to Conservative Groups, Wooing the GOP

WSJ: Google Donating to Conservative Groups, Wooing the GOP

<p>Google — known for championing progressive policies like gay marriage, immigration reform, and reducing greenhouse gases — has been quietly courting the GOP and funding an array of conservative groups, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304856504579339031332776594?mod=WSJ_hp_RightTopStories"><b>The Wall Street Journal </b></a>reported Thursday.<br /> <br /> The Silicon Valley superpower is now evenly splitting its political-action committee donations between the GOP and Democrats, which it had traditionally favored, The Journal said.<br />
Google Invests $14 Million Of Combined $61 Million Tech Firms Spent To Sway Legislators In 2013

Google Invests $14 Million Of Combined $61 Million Tech Firms Spent To Sway Legislators In 2013

<p>When it comes to influencing Washington, Google was at the top of the list of tech companies that spent a combined $61.15 million on lobbying efforts last year.</p> <p>According to a <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/google-leads-pack-10-tech-firms-pump-6115-million-2013-lobbying-efforts">report from Consumer Watchdog</a>, Google invested $14.06 million of the $61.15 million invested by ten tech firms, including Microsoft, IBM, Facebook and Oracle.</p>
Consumer Watchdog Files Google+ Complaint with FTC

Consumer Watchdog Files Google+ Complaint with FTC

<section class="page"> <p><span itemprop="articleBody description text">Google, through its plan to link Gmail addresses to its Google+ social network, is violating a privacy agreement the company made with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a long-time critic of the company’s privacy practices said in a complaint to the agency.</span></p>
Google Again Tops Tech Spending on Lobbying

Google Again Tops Tech Spending on Lobbying

<p>Google’s spending on lobbying dropped in 2013, but it is still lavishing Washington with more money than any other tech company.</p> <p>The search giant spent $14.1 million to help influence lawmakers and regulators last year, according to data published on <a href="http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/">House.gov</a>.</p>
Google Leads Pack As Ten Tech Firms Spend More Than $61 Million Lobbying Washington

Google Leads Pack As Ten Tech Firms Spend More Than $61 Million Lobbying Washington

<p>Ten of the largest technology companies in the US spent more than $61 million lobbying Washington in 2013, according to an <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/google-leads-pack-10-tech-firms-pump-6115-million-2013-lobbying-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis of records filed by Consumer Watchdog</a> earlier this week. The firms, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, used the money in attempts to guide the government's hand on issues such as privacy, data security, and advertising.</p>
Official’s Dual Roles Stir Worry Of Conflict

Official’s Dual Roles Stir Worry Of Conflict

<div id="text-pages"> <div class="page" style="display: block;"> <p>Hydra Mendoza has for several years played a controversial dual role in San Francisco politics, acting as both a school board member and the mayor's education adviser.</p> <p>It's a legal although unusual arrangement, but one that has raised ethical concerns that her loyalties may be split among her public responsibilities, her paycheck, and now, her personal life.</p>
Target’s Data Breach Highlights State Role In Privacy

Target’s Data Breach Highlights State Role In Privacy

<p><b>Most states have their own "security breach laws" requiring companies to notify consumers if their credit card numbers have been stolen</b></p> <p><span>The recent data breach at Target highlights the growing role of states in protecting people's online data and privacy.</span></p>
Target Hack Is A Wake-Up Call On Privacy

Target Hack Is A Wake-Up Call On Privacy

<p><span class="dateline">NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — </span>Think twice next time a store asks for your phone number, email or zip code.</p> <p>If you fork it over, you're feeding the beast of consumer data collection -- and putting your own information at risk.</p> <p>Target's disclosure that credit card thieves hacked a database of 70 million customers is a wake-up call.</p> <p>"It's like an arms race for consumers' information at this point," said Susan Grant, an advocate for the Consumer Federation of America.</p>
Google’s Changes To Gmail Provoke More Privacy Fears

Google’s Changes To Gmail Provoke More Privacy Fears

<div class="group"> <p><a class="inline_quotes" data-gdsid="19004" data-inline-quote-symbol="GOOG" href="http://data.cnbc.com/quotes/GOOG" target="_self" rel="noopener">Google</a>'s privacy polices came under fire again on Friday regarding changes to its Gmail service, two days after it was fined by France for data protection violations.</p> <p>Gmail users could soon receive messages from people with whom they have never shared their email addresses, following the latest in a string of moves to link Google's email service with its online social network, Google Plus.</p>