Privacy

Do-Not-Track Bill Introduced In California

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A state lawmaker in California has introduced a privacy bill that would require Web companies that gather data about state residents to notify consumers about the collection and allow them to opt out.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Challenges New Google Chief To Support Do-Not-Track

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The privacy group Consumer Watchdog is challenging Google to improve its privacy standards as the company undergoes a regime change in its top office. </p> <p> On Larry Page's first day as chief executive, the watchdog asked him to support a Do-Not-Track regime for Internet privacy outlined in a California state bill.</p> <p> The watchdog group also dug into former chief executive Eric Schmidt, who is staying on at the company in a different role. </p>

California Lawmaker Touts Do-Not-Track Bill

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>A California state senator introduced an online do-not-track bill.</b></p> <p> A state senator in California has introduced a bill that would allow Web surfers to opt out of online tracking efforts by websites and advertising networks.</p>

Google “Wi-Spy” Controversy Rages On, Raises More Questions

April 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

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Google Privacy Settlement Unlikely To Cause Big Change

April 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google this week agreed to a new privacy program as part of a <a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/google-reaches-privacy-settlement-with/1697269/">Federal Trade Commission settlement</a>, a move that translates into a major mea culpa for the search giant -- and a strong warning to other information-gathering Internet companies. But consumers are unlikely to see widespread Internet-privacy changes as a result, consumer protection groups say.<br /> <br />

Big, really big

March 30, 2011  ·  Jamie Court

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-2037" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/consuwatchdogpic.jpg" style="width: 168px; height: 250px;" width="168" height="250" />We've had a big first quarter at Consumer Watchdog.</p> <p> We <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/consumer-watchdog-praises-judge-blocking-google-books-deal">beat Google in court</a> last week when the judge agreed with our strong anti-trust arguments and prevented Google from gaining a monopoly over digitized books online.</p>

Will Schmidt Divest From Google to Become Commerce Secretary?

March 30, 2011  ·  Jamie Court

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Google, FTC Reach Google Buzz Privacy Settlement

March 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with Google on Wednesday over Google Buzz, the social networking tool rolled out last year which spawned a slew of privacy complaints.</p> <p> Under the settlement announced by the US regulator, Google is required to implement a comprehensive privacy program and will be subject to independent privacy audits every two years for the next 20 years.</p>

Google Settles With Feds, Apologizes (Again) For Buzz Privacy Blunder

March 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="epicenter" id="header"> <a href="http://www.wired.com/epicenter" id="blog_header"> </a></div> <div id="post_nav"> <div class="post_nav_link" id="post_nav_next">  </div> </div> <p> <a href="http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/02/buzz-poll/picture-3-2-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-15048"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-15048" src="http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/epicenter/2010/02/picture-3-300x71.png" style="width: 300px; height: 71px;" title="google buzz logo" /></a></p>

Gauntlet Thrown Down In Google Settlement

March 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Memo from Washington to Web companies: Take note of the Google Buzz settlement.</b></p> <p> Sure, the <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/52214.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consent decree</a> proposed Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission drops the hammer squarely on Google — subjecting the search giant’s entire online empire to periodic privacy checkups for two decades.</p>

Google Settles Buzz Case With US Government

March 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google has settled legal matters with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over privacy issues surrounding its Buzz social networking service.</p> <p> The company said that it had struck an agreement with the FTC which will settle the complaint and put new controls over how Google handles user privacy. Under the agreement, Google will receive independent audits every two years, and any sharing of user information will require prior consent.</p> <p> "When companies make privacy pledges, they need to honour them," said FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz.</p>

Privacy Groups Cheer FTC’s Action Over Google Buzz

March 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Privacy advocates cheered on Wednesday in response to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's crackdown on Google over privacy violations it called deceptive and potentially illegal resulting from the bungled launch of the Buzz social networking and microblogging service.</p> <p> The only thing that tempered the joy of privacy watchdogs over the slap from the FTC was a desire for a stiffer punishment for Google.</p>