Privacy

Google Introduces New Social Tool and Settles Privacy Charge

March 30, 2011 · Mark Reback

Google is trying social networking again, even as it pays a price for earlier privacy blunders. Google introduced its latest social tool on Wednesday, the same day it settled with the Federal Trade Commission over charges of deceptive privacy practices last year for Buzz, the social networking tool in Gmail.

NAIC Panel Seeks More Info Before Backing Agent MLR Exemption

March 28, 2011 · Mark Reback

State insurance regulators delayed for at least four weeks action on a resolution that would support the demand by insurance agents for an exemption from the medical loss ratio (MLR) provision of the health care reform law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Professional Health Insurance Advisors Task Force took the action late Sunday. The meeting was held as a prelude to the NAIC Spring Meeting, being held in Austin, Texas this week.

Digitally Ad-Wrapped Skyscrapers Coming to L.A.?

March 24, 2011 · Mark Reback

Jan Perry opens a new front in the Los Angeles billboard wars The Los Angeles City Council is widely expected to approve a controversial precedent on March 29 when it backs a plan by a Korean multinational corporation to create two downtown skyscrapers, the "Wilshire Grand," whose 12-story base will be wrapped with 5-story-high, ultrabright digital advertising billboards.

Is Google’s Book Setback A Win For Consumers?

March 23, 2011 · Mark Reback

Judge Echoes Google Critics In Digital Book Ruling

March 23, 2011 · Mark Reback

San Francisco, CA (AP) -- As Google Inc. evolved from being an endearing startup to an Internet empire, the company has become used to critics depicting it as a copyright scofflaw and pushy monopolist. It's different when the unflattering portrait is being drawn by a federal judge.

US Judge Rejects Deal For Google Digital Book Plan

March 22, 2011 · Mark Reback

NEW YORK (AFP) – A US judge dealt a major setback to Google's plans for a vast digital library and online bookstore, rejecting a settlement hammered out by the Internet giant with authors and publishers. US District Court Judge Denny Chin on Tuesday said in a ruling 13 months after the parties had their day in his Manhattan courtroom that the proposed settlement is "not fair, adequate and reasonable."

France Fines Google Over Wi-Spy

March 22, 2011 · John M. Simpson

France's privacy watchdog has just fined Google 100,000 euros ($142,000) as a result of the Internet giant's Wi-Spy activities. It may not be a lot to a company whose worldwide annual sales are around $25 billion a year, but it's the biggest fine the regulator has issued.

Eric Schmidt Closing In On Top Commerce Job?

March 18, 2011 · Mark Reback

<h1 class="entry-title"> <img align="bottom" border="0" src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2010/11/15/National-Economy/Images/2010-10-21T224243Z_01_BTRE69K1PDK00_RTROPTP_3_TELEVISION-US-GOOGLE-TV--358x230.jpg?uuid=I0doAPDYEd-kTgwW2FEP-Q" width="228" /></h1> <div id="entrytext"> (ROBERT GALBRAITH - REUTERS)

Consumer Group: Google CEO Not Good For Commerce Post

March 17, 2011 · Mark Reback

Frequent Google critic Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to the White House on Thursday blasting reports that outgoing Google chief executive Eric Schmidt is being considered to replace Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

Japan Meltdown: Human Error Starts in the Boardroom

March 17, 2011 · Judy Dugan

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2027" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/chernobyl.png" style="width: 300px; height: 214px;" width="300" height="214" />I remember days and nights spent at a rewrite desk in Washington 25 years ago, taking in and editing nearly unbelievable information from reporters in Russia and Western Europe. Where was this place, Chernobyl? Was the meltdown first, or the explosion? Was radiation really spreading across Europe? Do we have a stringer in Norway? How could this happen? (photo: graveyard of irradiated vehicles at Chernobyl. credit unknown)

Cause For Concern About Washington’s Privacy Drive

March 17, 2011 · John M. Simpson

Google Faces More Washington Scrutiny

March 12, 2011 · John M. Simpson

<img class=" size-full wp-image-2004" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/thumb_3.jpg" style="width: 120px; height: 90px;" width="120" height="90" />The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee plan to examine Google's activities for possible antitrust violations, is the latest indication that the Internet giant's behavior is drawing increasingly skeptical -- and well deserved -- scrutiny in the nation's capital. I'm just back from Washington were I was discussing online privacy protection and antitrust concerns with Congressional staffers, the Federal Trade Commission and various journalists.

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