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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Viewpoints: Stem Cell Chief Needs To Let Go Of The Reins

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

<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>
Do Not Track Could Revolutionize Online Ad Industry

Do Not Track Could Revolutionize Online Ad Industry

<p> If you're like most Web users, you probably don't realize how intensively your visits to many of the most popular pages on the Internet are scrutinized.<br /> <br /> In fact, the art of anonymous, Internetwide monitoring of who visits what webpage has been advancing dramatically, driven by advertisers' desire to tailor their messages to specific groups of customers.<br /> <br />
Connecticut AG Demands Wi-Spy Data

Connecticut AG Demands Wi-Spy Data

<p> <img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-1893" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/images_google-car.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 152px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" width="460" height="350" />Connecticut <a href="http://www.ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp">Attorney General Richard Blumenthal</a>, who is leading a multi-state probe into Google's Wi-Spying activity is demanding the Internet giant turn over the data that its Street View cars improperly gathered from wireless networks in the state.</p>
Microsoft To Add Tracking Protection To IE9

Microsoft To Add Tracking Protection To IE9

<p> <strong>Advertisers complain the Internet Explorer browser tool will hinder their ability to support free news, entertainment and other online content.</strong><br /> <br /> Less than a week after federal regulators proposed giving web users a "do-not-track" option against online advertisers, Microsoft announced that it will add its own tracking protection mechanism in the next version of Internet Explorer 9.<br /> <br />
Microsoft Explores Privacy With New Feature

Microsoft Explores Privacy With New Feature

<p> Microsoft is adding a new feature to Internet Explorer that will allow users to opt out of being tracked by certain websites.<br />        <br /> The move comes amid growing demands for more privacy online, and U.S. government moves to introduce "do not track" legislation unless the internet industry does a better job of policing itself.             <br /> <br />
Will Congress let consumers say no to online tracking?

Will Congress let consumers say no to online tracking?

<p> <img class=" size-full wp-image-1883" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/images_ftc_hq5_400x350.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 263px; " width="400" height="350" />A House subcommittee held its last hearing of the 111th Congress yesterday to talk about whether legislation creating a “Do Not Track Me” mechanism is needed to protect consumers’ privacy on the internet.</p>
An Inside Look at Google’s Loudest Critic

An Inside Look at Google’s Loudest Critic

<div> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"> <br /> <div class="postBody"> <div class="cnet-image-div image-LARGE2 float-none" style="width: 500px;"> <img alt="Consumer Watchdog&#39;s John Simpson, Carmen Balber, and Jamie Court (left to right) make last-minute arrangements for their Wednesday privacy conference, dominated by criticism of Google." class="cnet-image" height="350" src="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2010/12/02/IMG_3347_610x406.JPG" width="500" />
Google Takes Issue with Vocal Critics Gary Reback, Scott Cleland

Google Takes Issue with Vocal Critics Gary Reback, Scott Cleland

<p> Google takes issue with news reports this week, including <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/12/antitrust-litigator-gary-reback-calls-for-obama-to-order-us-probe-of-google/1"> our coverage</a>, in which high-profile antitrust litigator Gary Reback and frequent Google critic Scott Cleland raised questions about the search giant’s business practices.</p>
F.T.C. Backs Plan to Honor Privacy of Online Users

F.T.C. Backs Plan to Honor Privacy of Online Users

<p> WASHINGTON — Signaling a sea change in the debate over Internet privacy, the government’s top consumer protection agency on Wednesday advocated a plan that would let consumers choose whether they want their Internet browsing and buying habits monitored.        <br /> <br />