Privacy

Privacy Concerns Raised Over California “Robot Car” Legislation

September 14, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The dream of having your car drive you home is on the verge of getting a major boost. As early as January of next year, California may join Nevada in legalizing the use of autonomous cars, potentially allowing “drivers” to read the paper or catch up on e-mails on the way to the office.</p> <p>But a consumer advocacy organization warns that the cars could do more than that, collecting personal information that could be shared with others, and is asking for a gubernatorial veto of the bill approving them, which was passed by the state legislature in August.</p>

Markey Formally Introduces Mobile Device Privacy Bill

September 12, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., introduced the Mobile Device Privacy Act on Wednesday, aimed at bringing greater transparency to third-party tracking of consumer devices (http://xrl.us/bnpg4t). The legislation follows last year's revelation that diagnostic analysis providers like Carrier IQ used software to collect certain user data from cellphones, including dialed phone numbers and visited URLs. Privacy groups lauded the bill while carriers and some cellphone manufacturers declined to comment.<br /> <br />

Consumer Watchdog Chases Google’s Autonomous Car

September 11, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Autonomous cars are a hot topic of conversation nowadays. Fans of the status quo see them as a waste of time. Driving enthusiasts see them as the harbinger of a boring, 55 mph future. And politicians see them as high-tech boogeymen to <a href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1078432_florida-attack-ad-uses-driverless-cars-to-scare-elderly-voters">scare seniors into voting booths</a>. (NB: that tactic <a href="http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/268333/250/Brandes-wins-Republican-nominee-for-District-22-State-Senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">didn't work</a>.)</p>

Obama Ad Libs, Snubs Google In Acceptance Speech

September 9, 2012  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2203" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_johndrawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right;" width="133" height="200" />Consumer Watchdog has long been critical of the way Google has had easy access to the corridors of power in the Obama Administration.  Now there is a clear sign that the Internet giant has lost its luster with the President.</p> <p>Perhaps Google's repeated privacy missteps and antitrust concerns have prompted the President to distance himself.  The motive is not clear, but here's what happened.</p>

How Google Will Change Your Life

September 7, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>It woke you up this morning. While you were scarfing down cereal, it told you when to head to the gym. On the way there, it showed you how far you ran and how much you lifted last time and what your goals for today should be. After the workout, it told you to hurry up if you were going to make that 9 a.m. meeting and suggested a quicker route to work. And your afternoon flight? It told you it was delayed and suggested a great café close by to pass the time. You didn’t have to tell it a thing. It just...knows. “It” is not the future. It’s right now.

FCC To Test Carriers’ Mobile Broadband Performance

September 6, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

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FCC Plans To Measure Mobile Broadband Performance

September 5, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The Federal Communications Commission today announced plans to measure mobile broadband service performance in an attempt to provide consumers with information regarding wireless data speeds.</p> <p>A meeting is scheduled to be held on Sept. 21 to discuss the new program. Wireless industry trade association CTIA and wireless carriers have already made commitments to cooperate, according to the FCC. The commission is also seeking participation from other stakeholders, including the public research community.</p>

The Latest Insurance Scam

September 4, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Mercury Insurance wants to buy your vote again — this time, with an unusual ally</b></p>

Google Could Face Challenge To Its Privacy Settlement With FTC

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog is looking to get a shot at challenging <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/10/business/la-fi-google-ftc-20120810">Google’s $22.5-million settlement</a> with the Federal Trade Commission over alleged privacy violations.</p> <p>A U.S. District Court judge gave the organization the ability to challenge the settlement over allegations it misled users of Apple’s Safari browser. Google has denied any wrongdoing in the case. Now Consumer Watchdog is questioning whether the FTC can settle the case without an admission of wrongdoing.</p>

Court Allows Challenge To FTC’s $22.5M Google Settlement

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The FTC will have to defend in court why it's penalizing Google $22.5 million for a privacy violation while still allowing the company to deny any wrongdoing.</p> <p>A federal judge late Tuesday granted Consumer Watchdog the ability to challenge the legal logic behind the FTC's settlement with Google over charges it misrepresented its tracking of Safari Web browser users.</p>

Challenge To FTC, Google Settlement

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog has won the right to oppose the Federal Trade Commission’s $22.5 billion challenge to a settlement with Google on privacy matters, the group said Wednesday.</p> <p>A U.S. District Court judge said that the group could be granted “friend of the court” status so that it may file a brief opposing the settlement. Consumer Watchdog objects to language in the settlement that allows Google to deny any wrongdoing.</p>

Judge Allows Group To Oppose FTC Settlement With Google

August 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A judge has allowed privacy group Consumer Watchdog to move forward with an effort to oppose a US$22.5 million privacy settlement between Google and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.</p>