Privacy

Should Silicon Valley Be Worried About a Backlash?

June 5, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Apple, Google and Facebook, the three companies that helped restore the luster of Silicon Valley's reputation following the dark days of the dot-com bust, are now threatening that revival. Concern about Google has grown for years, but it lately has also been bumping into greater antitrust scrutiny as it increases its pace of acquisitions. Just last week, Consumer Watchdog released a report claiming Google abuses its dominance of search to steer users to its other products. The revelation that the Google Street View team in Europe had "accidentally" collected large amounts of personal user data through Wi-Fi connections certainly hasn't helped.

Critics Call on Feds to Squelch a Google Monopoly

June 3, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

With Google squarely in their sights, Microsoft and advocate group Consumer Watchdog have joined the chorus of voices calling on the government to take measures to prevent a search monopoly — or to deal with the one that already exists.

A Voters’ Guide to California’s 5 Ballot Measures

June 3, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Prop. 17 is another special-interest offering. I’m inclined to agree with opponent Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, who says: “When was the last time an insurance company spent $13 million to save you money? The answer is never.” <p>   </p>

Data Show Google Abuses Search Role, Group Contends

June 3, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<span>Consumer Watchdog continues to push its case that Google Inc.'s behavior necessitates antitrust scrutiny, releasing a report Wednesday that alleges that the company is abusing its dominance in online search to direct users to its own services.</span><span></span>

Watchdog Backs Google Antitrust Complaint with (More) Data

June 2, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Public advocate and longtime Google critic Consumer Watchdog has issued a <a href="http://insidegoogle.com/2010/06/2010/06/google-using-search-engine-to-muscle-into-internet-businesses-study-finds-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> alleging that the web giant may have used its search monopoly to illegally drive traffic to its own services.

Google’s Wi-Fi Data Harvest Facing More Probes, Lawsuits

June 2, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Canada’s move follows confirmation that a U.S. Federal Trade Commission investigation of Google is also underway. The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog <a href="../../../corporateering/articles/?storyId=34304">requested</a> the FTC probe on May 17. The agency responded that it was “reviewing” that request.

Google Wi-Fi Incident Under More Scrutiny

June 2, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog said it obtained three years of Internet traffic from the Web metrics firm Experian Hitwise to analyze Web traffic to Google’s other services. It claims that it shows Google’s search results favor its services over competitors, a claim Google has repeatedly denied.

Traffic Report: How Google Is Squeezing Out Competitors and Muscling Into New Markets

June 2, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

Google has been muscling into new web markets and greatly expanding its dominance of other web commerce sectors since 2007, when the web search giant...

Politicians Get Wide Berth on Money

May 30, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

A cursory review of some lawmakers' campaign finance reports shows a "disparate level of compliance," indicating the new law hasn't gone far enough to ensure full disclosure, said Carmen Balber, Washington director of Consumer Watchdog. "In some reports, you'll find very specific disclosure ... and in other cases there is no information at all," Balber said. "We believe a lot more compliance is necessary for candidates so the public can really know if such expenses are meeting requirements under the law - that campaign dollars aren't being spent for personal, instead of political, purposes."

Facebook Criticism Continues

May 29, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

On Thursday’s call John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog said Facebook’s changes were largely superficial, and that its actions represent a “Silicon Valley mindset” that encourages pushing the envelope when it comes to privacy. “I don’t think we have any reason to trust the company now based on their past record,” he said. “There’s a pretty clear need for federal regulation at the FTC.”

Privacy Groups Assail Facebook Changes

May 27, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Facebook's new privacy changes haven't been enough to satisfy its most vocal critics. John Simpson of California-based Consumer Watchdog charged: "It's an operating mode of: you can never ask permission. Always ask forgiveness."

Google Grabs Personal Info Off of Wi-Fi Networks

May 27, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Consumer Watchdog, a group that has become one of Google's most outspoken critics, renewed its call for a regulatory crackdown Friday. "Once again, Google has demonstrated a lack of concern for privacy," said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. "Its computer engineers run amok, push the envelope and gather whatever data they can until their fingers are caught in the cookie jar." </p>