Privacy

Invading Our Privacy on the Internet

December 27, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The following op-ed commentary was published in the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-court-privacy-20101227,0,351983.story">Los Angeles Times on Monday, December 27, 2010</a>:</p> <p> <b>Internet companies track and sell advertisers virtually everything we do online. That's why a 'do not track me' system is vital. If Washington fails to act, California should create its own system.</b></p>

Ex-Googler Leaves The White House

December 23, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-1903" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/images_andrewmclaughlin.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px; " width="500" height="333" />Former Google executive Andrew McLaughlin has resigned as Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp">White House Office of Science and Technology Policy</a>, prompted at least in part, I think, by issues Consumer Watchdog raised.</p>

New York Times Rightly Asks: Can Google Grow Without Becoming A Monopoly?

December 22, 2010  ·  Jamie Court

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-1899" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/googlelopoly.png" style="width: 150px; height: 151px; float: right;" width="990" height="995" />The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/opinion/21tue2.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">New York Times</a> editorial questioning Google's purchase of online flight software company ITA raises questions that could well apply to any new business Google buys unless the Internet Goliath changes its business model. The Times editorial rightly raises the $64 billion question:</p>

Google Denies Connecticut AG Street View Data

December 18, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Google Dec. 17 refused to give personal data accidentally collected from Connecticut citizens to the state attorney general, a move that could precipitate legal action.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Connecticut-AG-Demands-Google-Street-View-WiFi-Data-234961/">Attorney General Richard Blumenthal Dec. 10 issued</a> the search engine a civil investigative demand to retrieve data Google's Street View cars accidentally collected over unsecured WiFi networks.<br /> <br />

Commerce Deptartment Seeks Web Privacy Enforcement

December 16, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Commerce Department should have its own privacy office and develop voluntary, enforceable codes of conduct for data companies and advertisers that track people on the Internet, said a report by the department's Internet Policy Task Force.</p> <p> The report issued on Thursday arrives as people express more concern about the ability that companies have to collect data on Internet users' personal Web habits and sell it to advertisers.</p>

Privacy Groups Critical Of Commerce Privacy Report

December 16, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Privacy advocates were skeptical of the proposals outlined in a privacy report released by the Commerce Department Wednesday.</p> <p> While pleased that the agency is bringing attention to the need to do more to protect consumer privacy online, representatives from five privacy groups said in a conference call that the report's proposed measures are too focused on industry self regulation. It's a "Christmas gift to the data collection industry from the Obama administration," according to <strong>John Simpson </strong>of Consumer Watchdog.</p>

Web Companies Urged by U.S. to Cooperate on Privacy

December 16, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Internet companies such as <a class="web_ticker" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=GOOG:US" title="Get Quote">Google Inc.</a> and Facebook Inc. are being urged by the government to work with consumer groups to develop new privacy rules to protect Web users or face regulations.</p> <p> Internet companies liked the Commerce Department report on Web privacy, released today, while consumer-protection advocates said it left too much to the discretion of the industry to police itself.</p>

Commerce Online Privacy Report Gets Mixed Grades

December 16, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Calls by the U.S. Department of Commerce for self-regulation in the online ad industry as well as a proposed "safe harbor" from FTC enforcement actions drew criticism from privacy advocates.</strong><br />  <br /> A new <a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2010/december/iptf-privacy-green-paper.pdf">U.S. Dept. of Commerce report</a> (PDF) on online privacy drew a mixed reaction from watchdogs Dec. 16, some of who called it a thinly veiled gift to the online advertising industry. <br /> <br />

Privacy Groups Pan Policy Paper from Commerce

December 16, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>The new recommendations look like more self-regulation, some privacy advocates say</strong><br /> <br /> New online privacy measures proposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce Thursday fall short of the action that's needed to protect Internet users, several privacy advocates said.<br /> <br />

CIRM Chief Stays On, But Vows To Find Successor Quickly

December 15, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

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Viewpoints: Stem Cell Chief Needs To Let Go Of The Reins

December 14, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<div class="lingo_region entry-content" id="articlebody"> <p> The following Op-Ed commentary by John M. Simpson was published in the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday, December 14, 2010:</p> <p>  </p> <p> As his six-year term comes to an end, Bob Klein should be high-fiving his way around a victory lap, basking in accolades for his substantial accomplishments as the first chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.</p>

Ducheny’s New Job Renews Focus On State Boards

December 14, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<div id="storycontent"> <h1 class="headline"> Six-figure salaries for members of obscure panels draw scrutiny</h1> <br /> <div class="storyleadphoto inline"> <a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/2010/dec/14/279505/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img alt="Former Sen. Denise Ducheny" src="http://media.signonsandiego.com/img/photos/2010/12/14/ducheny_t352.jpg?980751187beea6fc26a3a9e93795d379f58af1c4" /></a> <div class="photocaption"> <p class="meight"> Former Sen. Denise Ducheny</p>