Privacy

Google’s Privacy Rules Grow, But Do Protections?

March 1, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google’s privacy policy grew from 650 words a dozen years ago to more than 2,000 in the <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/preview/">new version</a> which goes into effect on Thursday. But experts say the all the extra verbiage is not about protecting user data so much as setting clearer guidelines for exploiting it.</p>

Bono Mack Plans Privacy Hearing

February 29, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON – As watchdog groups urge a slowdown in Google's new privacy policy, Rep. Mary Bono Mack's office announced Tuesday a hearing on privacy issues March 29 in which Google will likely participate.<br /> <br /> The Internet giant's new policy, which takes effect Thursday, requires users to let it combine and share information about usage patterns across multiple Google sites, including YouTube and Gmail. Not included will be Google Books, Google Wallet and Google Chrome.</p>

Google Forging Ahead With New Policy Despite More Objections; Fines Needed

February 29, 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" />Google is forging ahead with its plan to launch its new privacy and data handling policies this Thursday despite objections from regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.</p>

Google Will Add Opt-Out Button To Its Browser

February 24, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Amid swirling discussion on how tech companies handle privacy issues, Google on Thursday became the latest Internet giant to support adding a do-not-track button to its Web browser.<br /> <br /> No time frame was set for changing the Chrome browser to include a do-not-track feature, which would prevent companies from using information gleaned from a user's Web history to deliver tailored advertising. Companies that have adopted the standard also have agreed not to collect data for use in credit, employment, health care or insurance decisions.<br /> <br />

Five Privacy Groups Urge Congresswoman For Public Hearing On Google Changes

February 24, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Representatives from five privacy groups Friday sent a letter to Reps. Mary Bono-Mack and G.K Butterfield objecting to a private meeting planned with Google and instead asking for a public hearing on the search giant’s proposed privacy policy changes.</p>

Privacy Advocates Want Strong Role in Crafting Industry Codes

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Privacy advocates indicated Thursday that they expect to have a key role in helping to implement the Obama administration's "privacy bill of rights" released on Thursday.</p>

White House, Consumers in Mind, Offers Online Privacy Guidelines

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Wednesday outlined a set of online privacy principles that officials said would help consumers control the use of their personal data gleaned from Internet searches.</p> <p> The framework for a new privacy code moves electronic commerce closer to a one-click, one-touch process by which users can tell Internet companies whether they want their online activity tracked.</p>

Will Congress make Obama’s Privacy Bill of Rights law?

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Getting a divided Congress to pass any hard-edged privacy legislation is the next big hurdle President Obama faces in getting his Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights made the <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2012/02/will-obamas-privacy-bill-of-rights-become-law/1">law of the land</a>.</p> <p> “We urge the Administration to ensure that it carries out this process in a fair and transparent manner, and that consumer voices are heard and acted on,” Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America, adds:</p>

Consumer groups encouraged by ‘Consumer Bill of Rights’

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Consumer advocates say the Obama Administration's blueprint for protecting consumers' privacy online is a good first step, but they will be watching closely to see how it's implemented.<br /> <br /> On Thursday the White House and the Federal Trade Communications unveiled the "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights," which will serve as a policy outline for future legislation and public policy that will work to protect consumers' privacy while online from a computer or mobile phone.<br /> <br />

Apple, Google, RIM Plaster Privacy Warnings On Prying Apps

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Cali's chief legal bod strong-arms mobile software stores</strong></p> <p> Mobile software that meddles with your sensitive info must have privacy polices and must display them clearly, California's Attorney General Kamala Harris declared yesterday in <a href="http://oag.ca.gov/news/press_release?id=2630" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a statement</a> [1] agreed by all major app sellers.</p>

Obama Administration Seeks Online Privacy Rules

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <span class="articleBegin">N</span>EW YORK — The Obama administration is calling for stronger privacy protections for consumers as mobile gadgets, Internet services and other tools are able to do a better job of tracking what you do and where you go.</p> <p> Consumer and privacy groups welcomed the effort, though some worried that it won’t do enough.</p>

Google and Facebook in White House Web Privacy Sights

February 23, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The White House has called on internet firms to develop stronger privacy protections for consumers.</p> <p> The move comes amid worries that browsing information is being tracked and given to advertisers.</p> <p> State attorneys in 36 states recently sent a letter of concern over Google's plan to share personal information across its products.</p> <p> As part of the announcement, the firms' ad networks said they would support a "Do Not Track" browser option.</p>