Privacy

Google To Pay $22.5M Fine Over Privacy Practices

August 9, 2012 · Mark Reback

Google will pay a historic fine to settle U.S. government charges that it violated privacy laws when it tracked via cookies users of Apple's Safari browser. The US$22.5 million civil penalty is the largest ever secured by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for a violation of one of its orders, <a href="http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/08/google.shtm">the FTC said on Thursday</a>. However, ConsumerWatchdog.org finds the settlement inadequate for various reasons, including the amount of the fine and the fact that it allows Google to deny guilt and liability.

Google Pays $22.5 Million To Settle Apple Safari Charges

August 9, 2012 · Mark Reback

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Google Inc will pay $22.5 million to settle charges it bypassed the privacy settings of customers using Apple Inc's Safari browser, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday. The deal ends an FTC probe into allegations that Google used computer code known as "cookies" to trick the Safari browser on iPhones and iPads so the Internet search company could monitor users who had blocked such tracking.

Judge Orders Google, Oracle To Reveal Any Payments To Writers

August 8, 2012 · John M. Simpson

<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" />Ever wonder who is behind some of the opinions expressed by various bloggers. Could it be that some are being paid to express particular views? Are they hit-men-for-hire?

Judge Skeptical Of Proposed Settlement In Facebook ‘Sponsored Stories’ Suit

August 3, 2012 · John M. Simpson

<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" />A Federal District Judge apparently shares at least some of Consumer Watchdog's concerns about a proposed settlement in the Facebook 'Sponsored Stories' class action suit.

Judge Skeptical of Facebook ‘Sponsored Stories’ Privacy Settlement

August 2, 2012 · Mark Reback

A San Francisco federal judge declined Thursday to approve a Facebook privacy settlement concerning the social networking site’s “Sponsored Stories” advertising program, saying he was concerned that the $10 million payout was not adequately explained, and might not be big enough. The deal, which does little to bolster the privacy of Facebook’s approximately 150 million U.S.-based users, provides $10 million to the lawyers who sued the social-networking site and another $10 million to charity, in what is known as a cy pres award.

Judge: ‘Sponsored Stories’ Settlement Raises Concerns

August 2, 2012 · Mark Reback

A federal judge reportedly said on Thursday that he had concerns about the proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit about Facebook's sponsored stories program. Despite voicing concerns, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg in the Northern District of California didn't say whether he intends to scuttle the deal or grant it preliminary approval.

Google Claims Another Wi-Spy “Mistake” After Breaking Promise

July 27, 2012 · John M. Simpson

<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" />Google admitted Friday to the British data protection authorities that it failed to keep its promise to destroy data its Street View cars sucked up from private Wi-Fi networks. True to its form throughout out the Wi-Spy scandal, the Internet giant claimed it was all a mistake.

Get Garcia: Consumer Watchdogs Plan to File Complaint Over Misleading Marketing of 4G Cell Phones

July 26, 2012 · Mark Reback

The term used in countless cell phone ads remains largely undefined in the telecommunitions industry <a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Get-Ana-Garcia-Investigation-4G-iPhone-iPad-Cell-Phone-Carrier-WiFi-163816466.html">Click here to view the video of this news broadcast segment</a>. If you’re confused about what the term 4G means, you’re not alone.

Google Antitrust Deal In Europe Would Impact U.S.

July 25, 2012 · John M. Simpson

<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" />Google -- facing the possibility of a penalty of around $4 billion -- is trying to cut a deal with <a data-mce-href="http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html" href="http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html">European antitrust regulators</a> that would settle the regulators' objections without having to pay a fine.

March For Robin Hood Tax And To End AIDS

July 24, 2012 · Carmen Balber

“Do Not Track” Web Mandate Still Lacks Definition

July 23, 2012 · Mark Reback

<h2 class="entry-summary" id="deck"> Consumers would get greater privacy control, but first, experts must agree</h2> <div class="page i1 txt"> Washington -- The White House wants a "Do Not Track" option put on websites to give consumers greater control of their personal information online but Internet companies and privacy groups are at odds on how tight the controls should be. The stalemate could lead to a legislative crackdown on Internet privacy if left unresolved.

March in DC For Affordable Health Care and To Hold Wall Street Accountable

July 20, 2012 · Carmen Balber

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2452" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/images_rht_0.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 261px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="690" height="600" />Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor. But since speculation by the big banks stole trillions in wealth from average Americans and devastated the world economy, I'd call a small tax on financial transactions more like taking our own money back.

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