Privacy

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>

Critics Not Satisfied with Facebook’s New Privacy Protections

May 27, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Far from mollified by Facebook's new privacy controls, a coalition of consumer and privacy advocates that have accused the online social networking service of "unfair and deceptive trade practices" renewed calls Thursday for lawmakers to adopt legislation to strengthen personal rights on the Internet. Facebook's shifting policies show "a clear need for federal oversight and adequate legislation to protect consumer online privacy rights," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog. He faulted both Facebook and Google for "a Silicon Valley mind-set. You push the envelope as far as you can, grab as much information as fast as you can." </p> <p>   </p>

Privacy Groups on Facebook Updates: Meh

May 27, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Although Facebook's latest privacy changes elicited a positive reaction from some long-time critics, not everyone is enamored of the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/05/facebook-finally-gets-it-with-new-simpler-privacy-controls.ars">update meant to simplify how users share their information</a>. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Center for Digital Democracy, the Privacy Rights Coalition, Consumer Watchdog, and numerous other privacy groups held a call Thursday to discuss the changes, reiterating their collective belief that regulation is still necessary in order to keep Facebook and others in check.

Grading Facebook’s Privacy Changes

May 27, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Among privacy advocates, opinions are divided as to whether or not Facebook's latest policy changes amount to much. According to the social network's critics, the changes announced this week do not lessen the need for FTC regulation. “If they were sincere about privacy, the default mode for everything would be the minimal amount of sharing, and if you wish to share more you would opt in to doing that,” said John M. Simpson, consumer advocate for Consumer Watchdog. “I don’t think we have any reason to trust the company now based on their past record. There’s a pretty clear need for federal oversight at the FTC.”

Congressional Panel Seeks WiFi Data Answers From Google

May 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones) — A U.S. Congressional committee has sent a letter to Google Inc. (GOOG) seeking details on how the Internet search giant’s Street View cars accidentally collected private data from unsecured wireless networks. Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog on Wednesday urged state attorneys general to investigate whether the company broke wiretap, privacy and unfair business practices laws. The group also called on state authorities to demand that Google preserve all documents relating to its data-collection activities because they could be evidence in criminal or civil cases.

Google Worth $1 Billion to Pa. Commerce

May 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> The report drew mixed reactions yesterday. The nonprofit Consumer Watchdog organization dismissed it as hype based on "cooked accounting" that counts benefits, but doesn't consider the impact on some content providers and competitors who suffer from Google's "monopolistic control of search." </p>

Google Raises Its Game In Washington

May 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>MOVE TO EXPAND LOBBY EFFORTS -- 'A data-driven approach has served us well'</strong><br /> <br /> John Simpson, a researcher for the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog who was the first to raise questions about McLaughlin's appointment to the White House, said Google's bumbling intellectual persona in Washington is just an act. "They have an image they want to cultivate, but when push comes to shove, they are as tough and hard-nosed as anybody and as capable of doing all the same sorts of things to throw their influence around Washington. They are good at it," Simpson said, "and they are getting better." </p>

Google Touts Economic Impact of $645M for Utah — Internet Giant Brushes Aside Critic of Its Motives

May 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Search engine Google, that ubiquitous Internet presence, on Tuesday released an extensive report detailing how it generated $54 billion in U.S. economic activity during 2009 -- including $645 million within Utah. The announcement drew an immediate response from a nonprofit consumer-advocacy organization, Consumer Watchdog. The group said Google's motives in releasing the report were driven by "its attempts to quell worldwide outrage over the WiSpy scandal" and that this is "classic corporate PR spin to divert justified criticism."

Google Events Offer a Defense to Criticism

May 26, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

At least one vocal critic of the company said the report overstates Google's contributions. The company didn't generate this economic activity so much as facilitate it, said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog. There were other businesses that connected companies with customers before Google was founded 12 years ago, and the report failed to take into account lost revenue and jobs within those industries, notably media and advertising, he said. "They often say themselves that they're a very disruptive company," Simpson said. "If you want to sit down and do a serious analysis of the economic impact, you've got to take both sides of all this into account."

Google needs to come clean on WiSpy

May 25, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> As the WiSpy scandal unfolded last week CEO Eric Schmidt, speaking in England, tried to calm the furor by claiming "no harm, no foul." This week it's clear that despite the fondest hopes of those in the Googleplex, the...</p>

Google: $14.1B Generated in California, $54B in Nation in 2009; Consumer Group Scoffs

May 25, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog said Google's economic report relies on cooked accounting that only counts benefits while factoring in none of the costs Google places on society. "What's the economic cost to the content providers whose material is grabbed without payment or the competitor whose listing is banished to the nether regions of results because of Google's monopolistic control of search?" asked Simpson. "What's the cost on society to maintain Google's extensive network of energy-eating server farms?"

Straus Seeks State Probe Into Google Data Capture

May 25, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

State Rep. William M. Straus wants Google to hit the delete button on private data the company scooped up from Wi-Fi networks over the past three years. The data collection could extend to about 30 countries, said John M. Simpson, a consumer advocate with Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group that has called on the Federal Trade Commission to probe Google's actions. Simpson said he has not heard of any state attorneys general taking up the matter yet, but a response by states is likely as people become more aware of the implications. He said there is mounting outrage against the company.