Privacy

Is National Security Behind Google’s Wi-Fi Spying?

July 22, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Has search and advertising giant Google been tracking you just to sell you stuff -- or is it because the U.S. government asked it to? A congressional hearing later today may raise more questions than answers. "Is there some relationship between Google and the NSA (National Security Agency)?" asked Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. "Was this data shared with intelligence agencies in America? It's a question. We just want a straight answer." 

Consumer Watchdog Repeats Request for Google Wi-Spy Hearing In Congressional Testimony About Federal Use of Web 2.0 Technology

July 22, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

WASHINGTON, DC -- Consumer Advocate John M. Simpson today repeated Consumer Watchdog’s call for Congressional hearings into the Google Wi-Spy scandal during testimony about federal agency use of Web 2.0 technology. The hearing was before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Inside Google’s John M. Simpson to testify to Congress

July 21, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> We haven't yet persuaded the <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/">House Energy and Commerce Committee</a> to convene a hearing on Google's Wi-Spy snooping and its dealings with intelligence agencies, but I'm off to Washington to...</p>

Multi-State Probe Into Google WiFi Incident Announced

July 21, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Consumer Watchdog, a group that has been critical of Google on multiple fronts, praised the state effort but again urged Congress to hold a hearing on the issue. “Just as the CEO of BP was asked to explain the Gulf oil spill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, so should Google CEO Eric Schmidt be required to testify about the gross intrusion into consumers’ privacy,” John Simpson, the group’s consumer advocate, said in a statement. </p>

Google Lobbying Spending Nearly Doubles, $1.34M Spending Focused on Privacy

July 21, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

This past quarter, Google spent $1.34 million on Washington lobbyists, an increase of 41% over last year’s spending during the same period. That brings the company’s lobbying money up to $2.72 million for the first half of 2010, according to Consumer Watchdog. With all that spending, who and what is Google trying to influence?

Update: Consumer Watchdog Will Testify at Thursday Web 2.0 Hearing

July 20, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

The House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Information Policy has reversed itself and invited John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog to testify at Thursday’s hearing on federal agencies’ use of Web 2.0 technologies. The invitation to Simpson is dated Tuesday, one day after a subcommittee staff member informed Republican lawmakers that the hearing would feature only one panel of all government witnesses. Simpson is the lead advocate on Consumer Watchdog’s Google Privacy and Accountability Project and has been a harsh critic of the search giant in the past. He was also the only witness requested by Republican lawmakers.<br />

Financial Reform Will Mean Changes

July 19, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Reporting requirements will give consumers more details on loans, mortgages.</strong> <div> <p> It may be quite a while before consumers feel the effects of the newly passed federal financial reform legislation. A few things are fairly certain. Consumers can expect clearer documentation on short-term loans, mortgages and other financial instruments and by 2012 there will be a watchdog agency within the Federal Reserve dedicated to protecting consumers from unscrupulous practices in the financial industry. "Currently, if you feel your bank is ripping you off, no one has any idea where to turn," said Carmen Balber, Washington director of Consumer Watchdog. The new agency, he said, will be able to collect complaints and address their cause: "People will be spurring … broader reform." </p> </div>

Google’s Wi-Spying And Intelligence Ties Prompt Call For Congressional Hearing

July 19, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA — Citing new information about Google’s classified government contracts and the Internet giant’s admitted Wi-Spying activity, Consumer Watchdog today said it is more imperative than ever for the Energy and Commerce Committee to conduct hearings into possible privacy violations by Google.<br />

John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog, on Google’s Political Influence and “Misguided Motto”

July 15, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

As Google grows in size, so does its political influence. And, while this may not overly worry most people, there is one man who is keeping a close watch on the search engine firm. He is Consumer Watchdog’s John Simpson, and one gets the feeling that he revels in his role of giant-killer.

Google’s Washington Influence Is Spreading, Some Say Too Much

July 13, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p>   </p> <p> <img src="http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/mclaughlin.jpg"/> </p> <p> This man is Andrew McLaughlin. A former Googler–he was their Head of Public Policy–he’s been hired by the Obama...</p>

Google Under Investigation

July 13, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog's Inside Google, an investigative branch of Watchdog, has completed an investigation on the data collection practices of Google. It appears that the vehicles taking pictures for the Google Street View application on Google Maps have been also been scanning local wireless networks. Now members of Congress are pushing congressional hearings based on what they've found.

Oz Privacy Boss Says Google Wi-Fi Slurp Breached Law

July 10, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Watchdog: US Congresspeople Were Slurped (Maybe)</strong> <div id="body"> <p> In an effort to spur a Congressional investigation in the States, the consumer watchdog known as Consumer Watchdog has retraced Street View's past Washington D.C. routes and found that various members of Congress have open Wi-Fi networks whose data may have been lifted by the Google cars. The watchdog wrote a letter to Representative Jane Harman, chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment and a former ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, telling her that Google may have lifted her personal info. </p> </div>