Privacy

Google’s Search “Sting” Is Hypocritical

February 2, 2011  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> Google <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/microsofts-bing-uses-google-search.html">is blasting</a> rival Microsoft for copying its search engine results for use on Microsoft's search service, Bing. <a href="http://www.bing.com/community/site_blogs/b/search/archive/2011/02/01/thoughts-on-search-quality.aspx">Microsoft claims</a> they did nothing wrong and that Google engaged in "a spy-novelesque stunt."</p>

Is Google’s Copying Complaint Fair or Hypocritical?

February 2, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>When involved in a spat over allegations of unauthorized copying or misappropriation of content and ideas, Google -- fairly or not -- usually plays the villain...</b></p> <p> When involved in a spat over allegations of unauthorized copying or misappropriation of content and ideas, Google -- fairly or not -- usually plays the villain, accused of parasitically overstepping boundaries to profit from someone else's work.</p>

Google’s DNT Function Is Deceptive

February 2, 2011  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> The drive to create a "Do Not Track" mechanism to protect consumers' online privacy as they surf the Web is gaining momentum.  Companies like Google, fearing the passage of necessary privacy laws, are scrambling to offer their versions on a voluntary basis.</p>

Liars and Loans: How Deceptive Advertisers Use Google

February 1, 2011  ·  John M. Simpson

Google has been a prominent beneficiary of the national home loan and foreclosure crisis of the past two years. The giant search engine company has...

Watchdog Demands Transparency on Google’s Million Dollar Lobbying

February 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Search Giant Comes Over All Shy, For Once</b></p> <p> <a class="entity-ref" href="http://www.techeye.net/company/google">Google</a> has been called on to give greater transparency to its lobbying in Washington following its refusal to release details from a presentation that seeks to persuade governmental policy makers and regulators of its compliance to competitiveness rules.</p>

Watchdog Group Questions Google’s Relationship with NSA

February 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

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Analysis: Consumer Watchdog’s Complaints Against Google

February 1, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

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Google Won’t Be Taken To Court Over Data Gather

January 31, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Google has since stopped the collection of Wi-Fi data, used to provide location-based services such as driving directions in Google Maps and other products, by Street View cars.</strong></p> <p> WASHINGTON, DC (AFP) – The US state of Connecticut said Friday it would hold negotiations with Google over the collection of private wireless data by its Street View mapping cars and not take the Internet giant to court.</p>

Google Spent More on Lobbyists in 2010 Than Yahoo, Facebook & Apple Combined

January 31, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google dropped $5.16 million on lobbyists in 2010, according to the Lobbying Disclosure Act Database. The sum represents a 29% increase over the $4 million the company spent in 2009.</p> <p> The search giant hired its first lobbyists in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/28/politics/28google.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2006</a> and has increased its spending in the category every year since.</p>

Google Reaches Agreement With Connecticut AG Over Wi-Spy

January 30, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google admitted its Street View cars collected private data from unsecured wireless network as part of an agreement with Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen to avoid having to go to court over the issue.</p>

Google to Settle State ‘Wi-Spy’ Spat Out of Court

January 29, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Street View Data Slurp Saga Rolls On</b></p> <p> Google and the state of Connecticut have agreed to settle their despute over the web giant's Street View Wi-Fi payload slurp without going to court.</p>

Neither sleet or snow can stop “Mr. Schmidt”

January 28, 2011  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-1933" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/schmidtsnow3.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 225px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="1200" height="900" />Despite a six-hour commute home on what should have been a 20 minute drive after Wednesday’s snowstorm, our mobile ad truck braved the streets again in this morning’s flurries so <em><a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/video/mr-schmidt-goes-washington">Mr. Schmidt Goes to Washington</a></em> could crash a “World Privacy Day” event at Google’s lobby shop in DC.</p>