Privacy

Kids’ Personal Data Needs Protection From Tech Firms

October 14, 2013 · John M. Simpson

As schools buy more software, applications and "cloud" computing services that gather and store increasing amounts of data about kids, there is growing concern that the information could be misused.

Letter to the Editor: A Call for Privacy Laws

October 12, 2013 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/opinion/a-call-for-privacy-laws.html?ref=letters&_r=0">The following letter to the editor was published in The New York Times on Saturday, October 12, 2013</a>: To the Editor:

Google’s New Rules: You’re in the Ad Game Now

October 12, 2013 · Mark Reback

Google has altered its Terms of Service to allow it to plaster users' names, photos and lots of other info all over relevant ads, a move that has privacy advocates up in arms. True, there are opt-out provisions, but essentially Google wants "to turn their users into unpaid pitchmen for advertisers," said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. The new rules apply only to users over the age of 18. Google has announced changes to its Terms of Service that will take effect Nov. 13.

Google to Feature User Recommendations in Ads

October 11, 2013 · Mark Reback

Users will be able to opt out of Google featuring their names and photos in shared endorsements IDG News Service (Washington, D.C., Bureau) — Google will feature users in advertisements that run on its suite of websites when those users recommend products or stores.

Tim Berners-Lee To Decide Fate Of W3C Privacy Group

October 11, 2013 · Mark Reback

The Internet standards group World Wide Web Consortium -- which has been trying for two years to come up with privacy standards for online behavioral advertising -- remains as hopelessly divided as ever. The latest conflict centers on whether the group should even continue with the privacy initiative. This week, the W3C polled members of the tracking group to determine whether they wanted to keep going and, if so, how to proceed. The results are completely perplexing.

Privacy Advocates, Online Advertisers Want Online Tracking Talks To End

October 10, 2013 · Mark Reback

Privacy advocates and online advertiser groups called for the end to a process that would create a way for users to opt out of being tracked online The group, convened by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), <a href="https://www.w3.org/2002/09/wbs/49311/tpwg-poll/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted Wednesday</a> on how the group should move forward after two years of missed deadlines and tense disagreements over creating a Do Not Track (DNT) tool.

The Cartel Of Contamination: Regulators Just Won’t Shut Down Exide

October 9, 2013 · Liza Tucker

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2697" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/images_arsenickillsgirlwithgasmask.png" style="width: 211px; height: 355px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="713" height="1200" />The Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights was a fitting venue last night for a town hall meeting about resurrecting justice. Senators Kevin De Leon of Los Angeles, Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens, and Assembly Speaker John Perez were the heroes grilling a panel of environmental regulators that included the state’s top toxics regulator Debbie Raphael, and a top air regulator, Barry Wallerstein, Executive O

Deal Reached With Vernon Firm Accused Of Releasing Toxic Emissions

October 8, 2013 · Mark Reback

Exide Technologies will set aside $7.7 million to pay for a new storm-water system and improvements to lower arsenic emissions. State regulators have reached a deal with a Vernon battery recycler accused of releasing toxic air emissions that may have threatened the health of more than 100,000 people, company and state officials said Monday.

GOOGLE INC: Consumer Watchdog Balks at Cy Pres Recipients

October 8, 2013 · Mark Reback

Consumer Watchdog disclosed that it joined the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and three other public interest groups on Aug. 22 in opposing a proposed $8.5 million settlement in a class action suit against Google for privacy violations in the way it handled users' search data because of at least "three obvious deficiencies" in the proposal.

Google’s New EU Deal – Same as the Old Deal?

October 3, 2013 · Mark Reback

It's unlikely stakeholders will be satisfied with Google's latest effort to resolve the EU's antitrust allegations. Though few details have been revealed, "this proposal looks like they're just tinkering with the earlier proposal," said Gary Reback, an attorney with Carr Ferrell. "I don't expect this proposal to be any better received than the previous one, which was met with derision and scorn."

New California Law May Push Other Do Not Track Efforts

October 1, 2013 · Mark Reback

A new California Do Not Track law will put pressure on other online privacy initiatives, including attempts to develop a tool that would allow users to opt-out of online tracking across the Internet. The law – which was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday – <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/324281-california-online-tracking-eraser-button-bills-set-to-alter-online-privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requires websites</a> to tell users if and how they can opt-out of online tracking.

Google’s Gmail Scanning Unclear To Users, Judge Finds

September 27, 2013 · Mark Reback

A federal judge allowed a class-action suit against Google to proceed, saying the company's terms of service are unclear when describing how it scans Gmail content in order to deliver advertisements. Google had filed a motion to dismiss the suit, which alleges that the company intercepted and read email while in transit in order to deliver advertisements and create user profiles and models since 2008. The plaintiffs alleged the company violated federal and state wiretapping laws.

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