Privacy

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Credit Repair Firms Can Force Arbitration

January 11, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Justices rule that credit repair firms can block lawsuits if customers' agreements carry arbitration clauses. The ruling is the latest in a string to back such clauses over consumers' right to sue.</b></p>

How Social Neworking Magnifies Consumer Clout

January 8, 2012  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are transforming the speed and power of consumer revolts. What once took many months - and a vast network of determined consumers willing to write and badger companies - can now go viral and deliver near-instant results.<br /> <br /> Just ask Verizon.<br /> <br />

Consumer Financial Watchdog Gets Recess Appointment From Obama

January 4, 2012  ·  Carmen Balber

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The Year’s Best Break-Up

December 30, 2011  ·  Laura Antonini

<p> <img align="right" alt="" height="170" hspace="7" src="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/images/att-t-mobile-210x170.jpg" width="210" /></p> <p> We’ve seen this before. A massive telecom giant plans to take over a slightly less massive telecom giant with promises that all customers will benefit. And then suddenly the fees rise and service quality degrades. Several years back Consumer Watchdog sued AT&T for failing to live up to its promises when it merged with Cingular.</p>

One of Our Favorite Moments of 2011

December 28, 2011  ·  Doug Heller

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2328" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/images_googletrackercapitol-2.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 167px; float: right; margin: 5px;" width="250" height="167" />If you use the internet, you’re being tracked by the big players of the web like Google. In our quest to shine a light on this constant digital invasion of our lives, Consumer Watchdog decided to turn the tables on Google earlier this year by tracking them... old-fashioned style: with mimes!<br /> <br />

Why Facebook’s Finally Getting Religion on the Privacy Issue

December 22, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Facebook is going to start giving its members more of a say in how their personal data is used, thanks to some pressure applied by Irish and U.S. authorities. That's because it will need all the regulatory goodwill it can muster when it takes its company public next year, said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. "Facebook has realized that if they want to be globally active, they have to play by countries' rules."</p>

Facebook Agrees to Privacy Changes in Europe

December 22, 2011  ·  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" />Facebook executives may finally be getting the message that they can't continue to ride rough shod over the privacy rights of the social network's uses.<br /> <br />

Key Senators Call for Google Antitrust Probe

December 20, 2011  ·  John M. Simpson

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Timeline’s Coming – Better Tidy Up

December 19, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Whether you love or hate Facebook's new Timeline interface, you're going to have to use it if you want to remain a Facebook member. The company insists that it won't break people's privacy features. However, user may want to review a preview of how their Timelines will look before the changes are rolled out, just to be sure.<br /> <br /> Facebook recently began rolling out its Timeline feature, which will replace the social networking site's traditional user profile.<br /> <br /> Everything ever posted on a user's page will be included in Timeline.<br />

Los Angeles Axes Plans to Add Police Email to Google Cloud

December 16, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 14 to cancel a move that would have put the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and other criminal justice personnel on Google’s cloud-based email system.<br /> <br />

Google’s Sad Saga In L.A. Draws To A Close

December 14, 2011  ·  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's sad saga of missed deadlines and unfulfilled promises in attempting to provide the <a data-mce-href="http://www.lacity.org/index.htm" href="http://www.lacity.org/index.htm">City of Los Angeles</a> with a "cloud" based email and collaboration system appears to be drawing to a close.</p>

Amazon’s Price App Draws Fire

December 10, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong><img class=" size-full wp-image-9482" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/images_amazonapp.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 178px;" width="600" height="356" />Stores say it unfairly encourages shoppers to look at goods in person but buy online.</strong><br /> <br /> Amazon.com Inc. and the nation's bricks-and-mortar retailers are in combat again, this time over the online giant's price-comparison tool that enables shoppers to quickly check out prices at rival merchants.<br /> <br />