Privacy

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>

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>

Google Says Gmail Users Have ‘No Legitimate Expectation of Privacy’

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Lavabit <a href="http://business.time.com/2013/08/09/snowden-fallout-compels-email-service-to-shut-down/">is no more</a>. Silent Circle has <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/the-truth-about-why-silent-circle-silenced-their-secure-email-service-7000019300/">shuttered its secure email service</a>.

Google: Gmail Users Shouldn’t Expect Email Privacy

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Critics call revelation 'a stunning admission' as Google makes claim in court filing in attempt to head off class action lawsuit</strong></p> <p>Gmail users have no "reasonable expectation" that their emails are confidential, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/160134104/Google-Motion-to-Dismiss-061313">Google has said in a court filing</a>.</p>

Google Under Fire Over Gmail Privacy Remarks

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google is making headlines this week for a court filing that some have interpreted as an admission that Gmail users should have no expectation of privacy while using the service.</p> <p>The statement came as part of a <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/googlemotion061313.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">motion to dismiss</a> a class-action case that accused Google of violating federal and state wiretap laws via a program in Gmail that scans emails to serve up targeted ads.</p>

Gmail Users Or People Who Email Them Should NOT Expect Privacy, Google Claims In A Stunning Admission

August 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<ul style="font-weight: bold;"> <li> <font style="font-size:1.4em;">The statement was made in response to a lawsuit accusing Google of violating privacy laws when its reads emails</font></li> <li> <font style="font-size:1.4em;">It follows a string of accusations against Google for it privacy policies</font></li> <li> <font style="font-size:1.4em;">Last week, the group's Android phone operating system revealed a feature that will track user's locations even when Wi-Fi is turned off</font></li> </ul>