Privacy

Google’s Monopoly Power Raises More Concerns

September 9, 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" />More examples of Google's powerful grip on the Internet surfaced this week and its acquisition of the venerable restaurant reviewer, <a data-mce-href="http://www.zagat.com/" href="http://www.zagat.com/">Zagat</a>, raised new concern about how the Internet giant will use its monopoly power in the future.</p>

Does Google Want to Own or Organize Information?

September 8, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> No doubt that Google decision to <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20103326-93/google-buys-zagat-in-original-content-gambit/" title="Google buys Zagat, in original-content gambit -- Thursday, Sep 8, 2011">acquire Zagat</a> gives its local business strategy a nice boost.</p>

U.S. Files Suit to Block AT&T Merger with T-Mobile

September 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The Justice Department filed suit Wednesday to block AT&T's planned acquisition of T-Mobile, bringing into high relief the debate over whether corporations or consumers matter more as the U.S. struggles through an economic downturn.<br /> <br /> AT&T has said that the proposed $39 billion merger between the nation's No.2 and No.4 mobile service providers is crucial to improving mobile services nationwide.<br /> <br />

Europe Taking Much Stricter Stance On Do-Not-Track Rules

September 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Europe's privacy regulators are advancing toward adopting much stricter do-not-track rules than what the U.S. online advertising industry prefers.</p> <p> A group called the European Union's Article 29 Data Protection Working Party wants to require data aggregators and advertising networks to obtain specific permission from each European consumer to use each and every tracking cookie -- stealthy programs that track where you go and with whom you associate on the Web.</p>

‘Do Not Track’ Goes Live, Gets Slammed

August 31, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> NEW YORK -- An organization of Internet advertisers took steps this week to protect Web surfers' privacy, but the system may be more bark than bite.</p> <p> Third-party advertisers regularly use information gathered from your browsing and buying habits to target you with relevant ads -- think, for instance, of how many times you've visited an online retailer, then noticed the retailer's banner ads following you around the Internet. That's raised some privacy concerns among many users uncomfortable with advertisers knowing their habits in such detail.</p>

AT&T Execs and Shareholders Should Pay $3 Billion “Merger Termination Fee”

August 31, 2011  ·  Laura Antonini

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2231" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/att-lawsuit-300x214.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 214px;" width="300" height="214" />Did AT&T really think we’d fall for its broken record promises that the AT&T/T-Mobile merger would help consumers?</p>

Prosecutor says Larry Page knew Google was breaking the law

August 30, 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" />It became clear over the weekend why Google agreed to a whopping $500 million settlement with the Justice Department to end criminal charges that it aided in the sale of illegal drugs from Canada. Co-founder and CEO Larry Page knew that the Internet giant was breaking the law.<br /> <br />

Online Ad Industry’s Privacy-Protection Effort Fails, Consumer Group Says

August 29, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A privacy-protection program sponsored by the online advertising industry fails to protect consumers, highlighting the need for U.S. lawmakers to pass do-not-track legislation, according to Consumer Watchdog.</p>

A Consumer Advocacy Group Calls for Federal Action on Web Advertising

August 29, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Consumer Watchdog slams ad industry’s self-regulation effort.</b></p>

Critics Calls for Deeper Scrutiny of Dubious Google Ads

August 24, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

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Google Shells Out $500M to DoJ Over Shady Drug Ads

August 24, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The U.S. Department of Justice has settled its beef with Google over drug advertisements from Canadian pharmacies targeting U.S. buyers. The search giant will pay half a billion dollars in the settlement. The figure was based on revenues received by Google as well as the pharmacies involved.</p> <p> Google has agreed to a US$500 million settlement with the U.S. <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/">Department of Justice</a> for allowing online Canadian pharmacies to place ads through its AdWords program targeting consumers in the United States.</p>

Experts Positive on Facebook’s New Privacy Controls

August 24, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Privacy advocates and security experts have given Facebook a preliminary thumbs-up on the upcoming changes designed to improve privacy controls on its site.</b></p> <p> Privacy advocates and security experts have given Facebook a preliminary thumbs-up on the upcoming changes designed to improve privacy controls on its site.</p>