Privacy

Privacy Groups Want FTC To Oppose Facebook’s Policy Changes

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Facebook said the proposed changes do not reflect a change in its ad practices or policies</b></p> <p id="first_paragraph">Six privacy groups have asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to strike down proposed changes to Facebook's policies, as they violate a 2011 settlement with the agency over user privacy.</p> <p>"The changes will allow Facebook to routinely use the images and names of Facebook users for commercial advertising without consent," the groups wrote in a letter Wednesday to the FTC. The groups asked the commission to enforce its 2011 order.</p>

Privacy Groups Call On FTC To Block Facebook Changes

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Six privacy advocacy groups have urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block Facebook's proposed changes to its privacy policy.</p> <p>The changes, which are set to go into effect in the coming days, would clarify that Facebook has the right to include users' photos, names and other personal information in advertisements to their friends.</p> <p>But the privacy groups claimed the policy change would violate Facebook's 2012 settlement with the FTC. That agreement barred Facebook from sharing users' information with third parties without their permission.</p>

Privacy Groups Charge Facebook Policy Changes Violate FTC Order

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong><span class="subheadline">Facebook's proposed changes spell out use of users' data in ads</span></strong></p> <p>Facebook is in the privacy crosshairs again, this time over proposed changes to its data-use policy. Charging that the changes violate Facebook's 2011 consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission, a group of privacy and consumer organizations are calling on the agency to take action.</p>

Google Fights To Kill Email-Scanning Lawsuit Brought By Gmail Users

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>It's hoping to dismiss the class-action suit over privacy</b></p> <p id="first_paragraph">Google lawyers are in court today arguing to dismiss a lawsuit that would stop the company from <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9241659/There_s_no_free_lunch_when_it_comes_to_Google_s_Gmail">scanning Gmail users' email messages</a> for advertising purposes.</p>

Google To Make Case That Gmail Practices Do Not Violate Privacy Laws

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Google Begins A Motion Today To Dismiss Class Action Lawsuit</b></p>

Google Argues for Right to Continue Scanning Gmail

September 5, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Google's attorneys say their long-running practice of electronically scanning the contents of people's Gmail accounts to help sell ads is legal, and have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to stop the practice.</p> <p>In a federal court hearing Thursday in San Jose, Google argued that "all users of email must necessarily expect that their emails will be subject to automated processing."</p>

State Nears A Deal To Keep Exide Open; Cleanup Assurances Sought

September 3, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A state regulator says California is close to cutting a deal with Exide Technologies that would permit the company to keep recycling batteries in Vernon. In April the state had ordered Exide to close the plant because of health threats posed by toxic materials.  A judge allowed Exide to stay open while it fought the closure order. Now the prospect of the plant permanently reopening worries neighbors and a watchdog group.</p>

Acxiom Gives Consumers Access to Data

September 3, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Data services company Acxiom will launch <a href="http://aboutthedata.com/">AboutTheData.com</a> “overnight,” a website that allows consumers to access their personal data and edit inaccurate entries.</p>

DTSC, Assembly Speaker Negotiating Bill To Reduce Haz-Waste Disposal

August 29, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Toxics department officials are proposing amendments to a pending environmental justice bill authored by the Assembly speaker that may establish a new hazardous waste management structure aimed at meeting the agency's goal of cutting hazardous waste disposal by 50 percent, sources say.<br /> <br />

Privacy Groups Criticize Proposed $8.5 Million Google Settlement

August 23, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<section class="page"> <p><span itemprop="articleBody description text">Five U.S. privacy groups have opposed a proposed $8.5 million settlement with Google in a class action lawsuit over search privacy, as it fails to require Google to change its business practices, they said. </span></p>

Watchdog Groups Objecting To Google Privacy Suit Settlement

August 23, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A group of consumer watchdogs have raised objections to an $8.5 million settlement proposal for an Internet privacy lawsuit brought against Google, complaining that the deal doesn’t require Google to make any substantive changes and doesn’t really benefit consumers who were allegedly harmed in the case.</p>

Privacy Groups Urge Judge To Reject Google Settlement Offer, Say It Doesn’t Go Far Enough To Protect Users

August 23, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Five privacy groups say Google's $8.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over privacy doesn't go far enough.</p> <p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047323/privacy-groups-criticize-proposed-85-million-google-settlement.html#tk.rss_all">PC World reported that the groups</a> -- the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Consumer Watchdog, Patient Privacy Rights, the Center for Digital Democracy and the <strong>Privacy Rights Clearinghouse</strong> -- feel the settlement was lacking because it did not require Google to change its business practices.</p>