Privacy

FCC Announces a Public Forum on Smartphone Location Tracking Systems

May 17, 2011 · Mark Reback

The Federal Communications Commission has waded into the midst of the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-24-apple-iphone-google-android-tracking.htm">roiling controversy</a> about location tracking systems built into Apple iPhones and Google Android smartphones. The FCC at 5 p.m. Eastern time today announced that it will hold a "public education forum" to which it has invited the telecom industry, smartphone operating systems suppliers, privacy groups and academia. The forum will be held June 28 in Washington D.C.

Feds Take Notice As Online Consumer Privacy Remains In The Spotlight

May 13, 2011 · Mark Reback

The federal government has taken notice of some recent high-profile data breaches, and continues to examine ways to enhance online consumer privacy.

Hellraiser Wanted

May 11, 2011 · Doug Heller

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2085" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/images_front-about-consumerwatchdog_team.jpg" style="width: 262px; height: 120px; " width="262" height="120" />Do you want to join us in the battles you read about here at ConsumerWatchdog.org...on a full time basis? Consumer Watchdog is looking for a social media / online manager and consumer advocate. (That is, we're looking for one person who wants to take on both the social media and advocacy aspects of our battles.)

Google Deflects PR Firm’s Attack of Gmail Privacy

May 10, 2011 · Mark Reback

It’s not as if Google lacks privacy controversies to quell. Yet Burson-Marsteller, a top-five public relations firm, is attempting to pile more on. Burson last week stepped up a whisper campaign to get top-tier media outlets, including USA TODAY, to run news stes and editorials about how an obscure Google Gmail feature — Social Circle — ostensibly tramples the privacy of millions of Americans and violates federal fair trade rules.

Consumer Groups Welcome ‘Do Not Track’ Privacy Push

May 10, 2011 · Mark Reback

Privacy and consumer groups welcomed a "Do Not Track" bill introduced in the US Senate that would let Internet users block companies from gathering information about their online activities. The Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2011 was introduced by Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Do-Not-Track-Online One Step Closer To Being National Right

May 9, 2011 · Jamie Court

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2076" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/resources_donottrackmebutton.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 168px;" width="250" height="168" />U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller did the American people a great favor today by <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/sen-rockefeller-introduces-do-not-track-bill-for-internet/2011/05/09/AF0ymjaG_blog.html">introducing the Do-Not-Track-Online Act of 2011.</a>

New book explains why you can’t trust Google

May 8, 2011 · John M. Simpson

Nobody can doubt the pervasive influence Google has in our daily lives. For most people the Internet giant has become the primary gateway to the Web. No doubt many of its services are useful, but what is the real impact of a company whose audacious mission is " to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful?" Scott Cleland has been doing some serious thinking about Google. His book, "Search & Destroy: Why You Can't Trust Google Inc," is the result.

Audit Finds Concern About Family Ties in Hiring for California Teacher Credentialing Panel

May 8, 2011 · Mark Reback

The state agency that decides whether teachers are fit for California classrooms has a record of hiring workers with family ties. Last year, the employee roster included two sets of siblings, one father-daughter pair, and three instances in which the child of an existing employee was hired temporarily as a student assistant.

Internet Privacy Bills Are Planned

May 7, 2011 · Mark Reback

One would require companies to honor 'do not track' requests filed by consumers. Another aims to protect children.

Online Privacy Concerns Fuel Drive For ‘Do-Not-Track’ Legislation

May 6, 2011 · Mark Reback

Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., will introduce an online-privacy bill next week that will include a controversial “do-not-track” provision letting consumers block companies from collecting unnecessary information. “Consumers have a right to know when and how their personal and sensitive information is being used online—and most importantly to be able to say ‘no thanks’ when companies seek to gather that information without their approval,” Rockefeller said in a statement.

Do-Not-Track Laws Gain US Momentum

May 6, 2011 · Mark Reback

Google on wrong side of power brokers A national law limiting information businesses can gather on consumers online looks increasingly likely, with Senator John Rockefeller the latest politician to jump on bandwagon for do-not-track legislation.

Viewpoints: ‘Do Not Track’ Would Protect Online Privacy

May 5, 2011 · Mark Reback

Why should iPhone and Android users have to worry about being spied on by their smart phones? Shouldn't we be able to say no to some of California's biggest companies, Google and Facebook, when they violate our privacy daily by tracking us online and collecting massive amounts of our private information without our explicit consent? Article 1 of California's Constitution broadly declares privacy is among our inalienable rights, but our privacy laws have not kept pace with the Digital Age. Our telephone calls cannot be recorded without our permission.

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