Privacy

Facebook Provokes Ire On Privacy, Again

November 27, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>Facebook has run into a fresh attack from privacy activists after the huge social network modified policies on how it manages users' data.<br /> <br /> The changes unveiled last week ended Facebook's effort to allow users to vote on privacy policy, but also permits sharing of information with its newly acquired photo-sharing service, Instagram.<br /> <br /> Additionally, the changes make it easier for advertisers and others to send messages on Facebook, limiting users' control, according to privacy rights groups.<br /> <br />

Facebook (Un)Rocks The Vote

November 27, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>While Americans gorged on turkey and yams this Thanksgiving, Facebook spent its holiday dishing out emails regarding the social behemoth's latest policy revisions. According to a November 21 email submitted at 11:41PM, Facebook proposed forgoing users' opportunities to vote on suggested policy changes.<br /> <br />

Google After Antitrust: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

November 20, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p><em><strong>U.S. and European antitrust regulators are poised to crack down on the dominant search company. What changes to Google search might the cases trigger?</strong></em><br /> <br /> Tim Carter was blindsided when his home-improvement site <a href="http://askthebuilder.com/">AsktheBuilder.com</a> fell out of favor with Google's search algorithm about 21 months ago. His daily ad revenue from Google AdSense crashed from $1,400 to $70.<br /> <br />

Two Trustbusters Who Could Decide Google’s Future

November 20, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p><em><strong>Joaquin Almunia in Europe and Joshua Wright in the United States hold influence in the fight over whether Google abused its dominance in search.</strong></em><br /> <br /> Think of them as the good cop and the bad cop.<br /> <br />

Google Ruling Shows Need For Do Not Track And Strong Antitrust Action

November 20, 2012  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2532" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/images_gavel_0.jpg" style="width: 150px; height: 152px; float: right;" width="272" height="275" />A federal <a data-mce-="" href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/illstonorder111612.pdf">judge's ruling</a> late Friday in a key privacy case demonstrates the need to implement tough "Do Not Track" rules and to take decisive action on the antitrust front against Google.</p>

Judge Approves $22.5M Google-FTC Settlement, Rebuffs Consumer Group

November 19, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p><em><strong>Summary</strong></em>: <em>A US judge has rebuffed efforts by California-based Consumer Watchdog to derail Google's settlement with the FTC regarding the bypassing of Safari privacy settings.. The group wanted a harsher penalty, and is now urging a full FTC suit over Google's search practices.</em><br /> <br /> A US judge has spurned a consumer rights group's call for Google to have to pay more than $22.5m in settlement over its Safari privacy row, by approving the original figure set by the Federal Trade Commission.<br /> <br />

Federal Judge Approves FTC’s $22.5 Million Fine On Google

November 19, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>A federal judge has approved a $22.5-million fine against Google despite calls from a consumer advocacy group for a stiffer penalty.<br /> <br /> U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the ruling late Friday, a few hours after a hearing arguments.<br /> <br />

Google Privacy Settlement With FTC Wins Court Approval

November 19, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>A federal judge on Friday approved a legal settlement in which Google (GOOG) agreed to pay a record fine of $22.5 million to resolve federal allegations of privacy violations, despite objections from a consumer group that argues the penalty is too weak.<br /> <br /> Hours after holding a brief hearing in San Francisco's federal court, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled that the negotiated agreement is "fair, adequate and reasonable."<br /> <br />

Google Judge Accepts $22.5 Million FTC Privacy Settlement

November 19, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>Google Inc.’s $22.5 million agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to settle claims the company improperly planted cookies on Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Safari Internet browser was approved by a federal judge.<br /> <br /> U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco found arguments from a consumer group that the settlement was inadequate unpersuasive and accepted the agreement.<br /> <br />

Judge Leaning Toward OK Of $22.5M Fine Of Google

November 17, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>A proposed $22.5 million fine to penalize Google for an alleged privacy breach is on the verge of winning court approval, despite a consumer rights group's cry for tougher punishment.<br /> <br /> U.S. District Judge Susan Illston told lawyers during a Friday court hearing in San Francisco that she is likely to approve the fine, which is the cornerstone of a settlement reached three months ago between the Federal Trade Commission and Google Inc.<br /> <br />

Google Judge Says She May Approve $22.5 Million FTC Deal

November 17, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>A federal judge said she may approve Google Inc.’s $22.5 million agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over claims the company improperly planted cookies on Apple (AAPL) Inc.’s Safari Internet browser.<br /> <br /> Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog opposes the accord, saying it lets Google off too easily and suggests that a separate government antitrust enforcement action against the world’s largest search engine company may lack teeth.<br /> <br />

Senators Tell FTC To Put Brakes On Antitrust Cases Against Tech Companies

November 16, 2012  ·  Daniel Palay

<p>With reports swirling that the Federal Trade Commission is readying an antitrust case against Google, some Republican senators say the agency should hold its fire.<br /> <br />