Privacy

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>

Privacy Groups Seek To Scuttle Google’s $8.5 Million Data-Leakage Settlement

August 22, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google's attempt to settle a privacy lawsuit by donating $8.5 million to nonprofit groups and schools should be rejected, advocacy groups argue in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila.</p>

Google Outage Shows Internet Giant’s Reach

August 19, 2013  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2674" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/images_googleapps_1.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 222px; float: right;" width="270" height="300" />There's no disputing the fact that Google exerts tremendous power over our online lives, but the extent of its reach was made crystal clear late last week.  <br /> <br />

Consumer Watchdog Barks Back at Google

August 16, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog barked back at Google's claim that "a person has no legitimate expectation of privacy in information he voluntarily turns over to third parties" by urging Gmail's 400 million users to stop using the email service.  </p>

Google Lawsuit Stirs Debate Over Email Privacy Rights

August 16, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Critics condemn internet giant over 'no legitimate expectation of privacy' argument</b></p> <p> </p> <div id="storybody" role="main"> <p>A U.S. consumer advocacy group has reignited the debate over online privacy after it unearthed a court document in which Google argues that anyone sending messages to Gmail’s 425 million users should not expect privacy.</p>

Google On Gmail: ‘No Legitimate Expectation’ Of Privacy

August 15, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Gmail users have no "legitimate expectation" their emails are private, Google Inc. said in a California court filing seeking a class-action lawsuit's dismissal.<br /> <br /> The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose, accuses the multinational high-tech giant of breaking U.S. wiretap laws by scanning all emails to target Gmail users for advertising.<br /> <br /> Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service. The service also automatically scans all emails to filter spam.<br /> <br />

Google Reads Your Gmail?

August 15, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>This might not be surprising to many. But Google recently admitted that "'a person has no legitimate expectation of privacy" when she uses Gmail.</p>

Google Defends Practice Of Scanning E-mails

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google said in a court filing that its users "cannot be surprised" the company regularly accesses their e-mails.</p> <p>Consumer Watchdog, the organization that unearthed the documents, called this a "stunning admission."</p> <p>"Google has finally admitted they don't respect privacy," Consumer Watchdog spokesman John M. Simpson said in a statement. "People should take them at their word; if you care about your e-mail correspondents' privacy, don't use Gmail."</p>

Google Makes Sweeping Anti-Privacy Argument In Gmail Case

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>When Google first rolled out Gmail in 2004, the company's decision to monetize the service by serving targeted ads raised concerns of privacy watchdogs.</p> <p>The Electronic Privacy Information Center questioned Google's practice, as did a coalition of other organizations. At one point, a California lawmaker proposed legislation to ban email providers from scanning emails. The measure never gained any traction, and concerns about the privacy implications of serving ads based on keywords in messages largely faded.</p>

Gmail Users Do Not Have A Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy, Says Google

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Google denied that it violates consumers' privacy when it reads e-mails, according to court documents</b></p> <p>Gmail users and their contacts have no reasonable expectation that their correspondences will not be scanned for the purpose of targeting advertising, according to a <a class="inform_link" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Google+Inc." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_self" title="Title: Google Inc.">Google</a> <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/googlemotion061313.pdf" target="_self" rel="noopener">court document</a>.</p>

Gmail Users Have “No Reasonable Expectation” Of Privacy

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Google admits in filing that email users should not be surprised that the company processes communications</b></p> <p>As <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/06/11/the_dangerous_ethics_behind_googles_transparency_claims/">I have noted here before</a>, it is worth remembering that as recently as 2009, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said, “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”</p>

Oh Google. Of Course Email Users Expect Privacy — You Promised It To Them

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The California-based advocacy group <a href="http://gigaom.com/2012/08/31/why-google-shouldnt-have-to-admit-its-privacy-sins/">Consumer Watchdog</a> has this week <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/google-tells-court-you-cannot-expect-privacy-when-sending-messages-gmail-people-who-care">highlighted</a> an interesting claim emanating from Google’s legal team, with which it is doing battle over data mining. In a motion to dismiss Consumer Watchdog’s class action lawsuit against it, Google said no email users can expect privacy.</p>