Privacy

FTC Closes Google Privacy Inquiry

October 27, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p>Saying they are satisfied with privacy reforms Google announced last week, U.S. regulators have closed their inquiry into Google's collection of data from unsecured private Wi-Fi networks through its Street View cars, a decision that was blasted Wednesday by online privacy advocates. John Simpson, of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said the FTC should have followed the lead of Canadian privacy officials, who last week issued a report showing that Street View cars in Canada had collected and stored entire e-mails, passwords and website addresses from homes and businesses.

A Reassured F.T.C. Ends Google Street View Inquiry

October 27, 2010  ·  Mark Reback

<p> MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday that it had ended its investigation of <a class="meta-org" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/google_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org" title="More information about Google Inc">Google</a>’s collection of Internet users’ personal communications by the company’s Street View cars.</p>

Google CEO’s creepy advice: ‘Just move’

October 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Maybe Google CEO Eric Schmidt thought he was making a joke, but you'd think by now -- if he is at all serious about respecting consumers' privacy -- the billionaire executive would understand that privacy is not a laughing matter. ...</p> <p> Maybe Google CEO Eric Schmidt thought he was making a joke, but you'd think by now -- if he is at all serious about respecting consumers' privacy -- the billionaire executive would understand that privacy is not a laughing matter.</p>

Add a 4th category of lie: Googlespeak

October 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> You've probably heard <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics">the description</a> of ways to mislead people that was attributed to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disreali and popularized in this...</p>

Google Could Get Massive UK Privacy Fine Over WiSpy

October 25, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> <strong>Google could be the first company to face an ICO privacy fine, after admitting its Street View took more personal data by Wi-Fi than first thought</strong></p>

‘We Failed Badly,’ Google Executive Admits

October 23, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit group that monitors Google's privacy work, reacted with skepticism. "Maybe some Google executives are beginning to get it: privacy matters. The reality, though, is that the company's entire culture needs to change, " John Simpson, director of the group's Inside Google Project, <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-watchdog-tells-google-to-prove-new-privacy-commitment-105562703.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a statement. </a>Google just goofed.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Tells Google To Prove New Privacy Commitment — Changing Wi-Spy Story Makes It Difficult To Believe Measures Are Serious

October 22, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p>SANTA MONICA, CA -- Consumer Watchdog welcomed three new steps Google said it is implementing to protect consumers’ privacy in response to the Wi-Spying scandal, but challenged the Internet giant to prove the measures are more than a public relations ploy.

Google Spends More Lobbying Congress

October 21, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> For the first nine months of 2010, Google spent $3.92 million, approaching the $4.03 million the search giant spent wooing federal officials in all of 2009, Senate disclosure records show. “Google has a group of well-connected lobbyists and is willing to spend freely to influence federal lawmakers and regulators,” says John M. Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s Inside Google Project. “They appear to be on track to spend a total of $5 million to peddle influence this year.”</p>

Google’s Wi-Spying broke Canadian privacy laws

October 19, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Google violated Canadian privacy laws when its Street View cars gathered data from private wireless networks,  Canada's <a href="http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2010/nr-c_101019_e.cfm">privacy commissioner said </a>on Tuesday....</p>

Canadian Wi-Spy Decision Shows Need For Congressional Hearings

October 19, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <span>SANTA MONICA, CA --  The Canadian Privacy Commissioner’s announcement today that Google’s Wi-Spying with its Street View cars broke the law demonstrates the need for U.S. Congressional hearings into th...</span> </p>

Personal Data Could Become Commodity

October 19, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>The CEA said users need to more aware of what they reveal online </strong><br />  <br /> Companies that want to make use of the personal information people put online should pay for it, the US Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has said.<br /> <br /> It made the statement as it released a list of five technology trends to watch for the year ahead.<br />  <br /> Privacy was top of the list, which also included mobile and green technology.<br />  <br />

Google ‘definitions’ offer interesting insight into Internet giant

October 15, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Struggling to find the definition for a word? Simply type "define: XXXX", where XXXX is the word you're asking about, into Google's search box. </p> <p> For example, if you're following California gubernatorial politics...</p>