Privacy

Why Isn’t Twitter Part of the NSA PRISM Snooping Program?

June 7, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Microsoft was the first to <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040991/report-nsa-prism-program-spied-on-americans-emails-searches.html">partner with the NSA</a> in 2007, according to the once-secret <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data">PRISM PowerPoint deck</a>. Other big-name tech companies followed, and even the obscure PalTalk joined the fray. But, quite conspiculously, Twitter never joined the government snooping program—there's no reference to the company in the NSA document.</p>

Banned! Google Glass Prohibited at Shareholder Meeting

June 7, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Tight security restrictions at Thursday's <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> shareholder meeting led even the company's much-hyped Google Glass technology to be banned, infuriating a consumer watchdog group who accused the tech giant of hypocrisy.</p>

Quick Note: Google Bans Google Glass from Annual Shareholder Meeting, Is Called a Hypocrite

June 7, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><span class="ArticleSummary" id="lblSummary">No electronic or recordable devices are allowed</span><br /> <br /> <span id="lblBody">Google's shareholder meetings are so private, not even its own products are allowed in.  Nonprofit organization Consumer Watchdog said Google executives are hypocrites for not allowing Google Glass into its shareholder meeting yesterday. <br /> <br />

Google Chief Says Glass Privacy Fears Will Fade

June 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SAN FRANCISCO — Google chief Larry Page assured investors that privacy fears about the company's coming Internet glasses will fade as people incorporate the eyewear into their lives.</p> <p>"People worry about all sorts of things that actually, when we use the product, it is not that big a concern," Page said while fielding questions at an annual shareholders meeting at the company headquarters in Silicon Valley.</p>

Oops, Google Glass Too Invasive for Shareholders’ Meeting

June 6, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Turns out, <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23274277/google-glass-cool-or-creepy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consumer privacy advocates </a>and <a href="http://www.siliconbeat.com/2013/06/06/oops-google-glass-too-invasive-for-shareholders-meeting/www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23395600/casinos-ban-gamblers-from-using-google-glass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">casinos</a> aren’t the only ones concerned with the invasive nature of Google Glass.

Google Glass Won’t Allow Facial Recognition Apps For Now

June 3, 2013  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2647" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/images_th.jpg" style="width: 175px; height: 200px; float: right;" width="263" height="300" />Google is apparently reacting to widespread concerns about one of the most privacy invasive and Orwellian potential applications for its computerized eyeglasses known as Google Glass. Late Friday <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9239714/Google_nixes_Glass_facial_recognition_due_to_privacy_concerns?taxonomyId=18">the Internet giant said</a> it won't -- for now -- allow facial recognition software on the device.<br /> <br />

EDITORIAL: State Must Dig To Bottom Of This Toxic Mess

June 3, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Apparently, Caltrans isn't the only state agency that needs thorough scrutiny. Evidence is mounting that the state Department of Toxic Substances Control could use a good scrubbing as well.</p> <p>The Sacramento Bee's Jim Sanders reported Thursday that the agency has spent more than $100 million in public money since 1987 to clean up 1,700 contaminated sites across California, but has yet to bill the polluters.</p>

Seniors Being Targeted With Medical Alert Scam

June 2, 2013  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/embed.js?id=2469910595001&w=466&h=263"></script><noscript>Watch the latest video at <a href="http://video.foxbusiness.com">video.foxbusiness.com</a></noscript>Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project Director John Simpson on the latest scam targeting senior citizens.</p>

Google Get Close To Crossing ‘Creepy Line’

June 1, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google is flirting with what Chairman Eric Schmidt once called “the creepy line.”</p> <p class="News-body-text">At its recent developer conference, the Mountain View, Calif., search giant showcased a number of new personalized technologies that many consumers will find useful, such as alerts of upcoming flights and restaurant recommendations.</p>

Editorial: State Toxics Agency Could Use A Cleanup

June 1, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Apparently, Caltrans isn't the only state agency that needs thorough scrutiny. Evidence is mounting that the state Department of Toxic Substances Control could use a good scrubbing as well.</p> <p>The Bee's Jim Sanders reported Thursday that the agency has spent more than $100 million in public money since 1987 to clean up 1,700 contaminated sites across California, but has yet to bill the polluters.</p>

DTSC Admits It Failed to Collect Millions Owed to CA

May 31, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Toxic regulator reveals it has not recouped $185 million in public funds from polluters</b></p> <p>The state agency in charge of regulating toxic polluters admitted Thursday that it failed to collect $185 million the state spent cleaning up contaminated sites such as junkyards, small businesses and property owned by large companies including Chevron. That means California taxpayers have been on the hook for a quarter of a century.</p>

State Toxics Control Agency Admits Not Collecting $184.5 Million in Cleanup Fees

May 31, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The state agency that regulates toxic polluters regularly spends millions of dollars to clean up sites without collecting money from the responsible parties.</p>