Privacy

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>

Facebook to improve privacy settings

August 24, 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 apparently is beginning to understand that users of the social networking site care about their privacy and would like simple control over who can read which posts.  It took long enough, but <a href="https://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=10150251867797131">new privacy controls announced Tuesday</a> give users much clearer options.<br /> <br />

FTC says it’s ‘carefully monitoring’ online tracking

August 19, 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" />I just received an <a href="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/resources_ftcsimpsonltr.pdf">encouraging letter from the Federal Trade Commission</a> assuring me that its Division of Privacy and Identity Protection is "carefully monitoring the privacy issues associated with online tracking."</p>

Microsoft Disables ‘Supercookies’ Used on MSN.com Visitors

August 19, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>New tracking technology a 'colossal privacy gaffe,' researcher says</strong></p> <p> Microsoft said it has disabled an online tracking technology that, according to a Stanford University researcher, allowed the company to sneakily track users on MSN.com -- even after they deleted their browser cookies and other identifiers.</p>

Google’s Motorola Gamble

August 18, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Its $12.5-billion purchase has raised antitrust concerns. But there are no sure bets in the tech world.</strong></p>

South Korean Lawyer Leads Privacy Crusade Against Apple

August 17, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <img align="right" alt="South Korean Lawyer Leads Privacy Crusade Against Apple" class="story-image" height="124" src="http://www.technewsworld.com/images/rw534914/iphone-location-data.jpg" width="172" /></p>

Does Google-Motorola Pose Anti-Competitive Danger?

August 15, 2011  ·  Jamie Court

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2211" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/images_jamie5drawingname.gif" style="width: 133px; height: 200px; " width="133" height="200" />What if Google, the master of the cloud computing universe and the Internet's information monopolist, were to buy Intel, Apple, or IBM? Would we want the company that controls information outside of our computers all along the Internet to also have control over a principal computer hardware maker and its patents?</p>

Consumer Groups, Politicians Weigh In On AT&T, T-Mobile Merger

August 15, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> As federal and state agencies consider whether the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile will be good for consumers and the economy, the companies and various consumer groups are waging a public battle to get their viewpoints front and center.</p>

We need a right to be forgotten

August 12, 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" />I remember as a young newspaper reporter going to different jurisdictions where public records were kept and putting together background information on an individual.</p>

AT&T’s Merger with T-Mobile May Actually Fall Through

August 12, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

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Bootup: Apple Alleged Ringleader in eBook Price Fixing Conspiracy, Lawsuit Claims

August 11, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Today in technology: Apple Inc. faces a class action lawsuit claiming the company allegedly conspired with major book publishers to raise the price of eBooks, NASA issues its first private sector space flight contract and a mysterious face is caught on YouTube in the clouds over New Brunswick.</p>

AT&T Bid for T-Mobile Faces California Review

August 10, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <a class="web_ticker" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=T:US" title="Get Quote">AT&T Inc. (T)</a>, looking to win approval for its proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile, is facing a challenge in California where regulators have raised questions about the deal’s effect on consumers and corporate customers.</p>