Privacy

Banking On Hope

February 18, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Ten years ago, scientists discovered stem cells in the dental pulp of human teeth. Despite the fact that there are still no FDA-approved therapies using these cells, at least four dental stem cell banking companies exist so far, charging anywhere from $575 to more than $1,600 for the initial extraction plus an annual storage fee of around $100 per year. "It's not a huge sum," said John M. Simpson, the Stem Cell Project director at Consumer Watchdog, but "it just seems an idea to try to cash in on the stem cell craze without any obvious benefits for people being asked to fork over the money."

At Hearing On Google Books, Critics Reiterate Opposition

February 18, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

In press releases this morning outlining their testimony, critics of the plan reiterated their opposition. “In essence Google’s latest arguments seem to boil down to this: ‘Our motto is don’t be evil, so you can trust us to control the world’s digital library,’ said John Simpson, with a group called Consumer Watchdog which has criticized Google on privacy issues.<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61H40220100218?type=technologyNews"></a>

Google In Court Over Books Deal

February 18, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Search giant Google is facing its opponents in a New York court over long-delayed plans to create the world's largest online library. Critics say the pact would hand the search giant a monopoly over online books sales. Some 26 interested parties will be given time to outline any objections. "This case is the key showdown. It's high-noon time in front of a judge," said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, one of the groups that objects to the settlement. "I do think all the books in the world should be digitised, but I think it is completely wrong to give one huge company control of that huge database and this is a very, very important matter," Mr Simpson said. </p>

Consumer protection merry-go-round

February 17, 2010  ·  Carmen Balber

<p> Reports about consumer protection in the Senate Banking committee's Wall Street reform bill are ever-shifting. It's time for Committee Chairman Chris Dodd to tell us where he stands. </p>

Google Buzz ‘Breaks Privacy Laws’

February 17, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>A leading privacy group has urged US regulators to investigate Google's new social networking service Buzz, one week after its launch. </strong> <p> The Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group, said it was not surprised by this stumble. "This case illustrates a lot about Google's corporate culture where a company is run by computer scientists whose operating method is don't ask for permission when you can always ask for forgiveness," said the organisation's John Simpson. </p>

Google’s privacy debacle displays firm’s true colors

February 16, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

Google's launch of its social network  <a href="http://www.google.com/buzz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Buzz"</a> and the ensuing outcry from consumers over they way it trampled on their privacy rights says a lot about the Internet giant's...

Google updates Buzz social-networking service amid privacy concerns

February 13, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>The Internet giant has tweaked the sign-up process to make the opt-out option clearer and made it easier to block people from following users.</strong> <p> "Google shows continued tone deafness to the very important privacy rights of consumers," John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog said. </p>

Next Chapter In Digital Book Deal: Google vs. DOJ

February 12, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Google seems to want Judge Chin to be the man making the decision, said John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, one of the opponents scheduled to speak in court next week. "Google has decided it's longer willing to negotiate with Justice on this one," Simpson said. "They want to negotiate with the judge instead."<br /> </p>

Stem cell agency’s lifespan is not fixed

February 12, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

<p> I got a phone call this week from <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/AboutCIRM_Leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Klein,</a> chairman of the California stem cell agency and its board's attorney, ...</p>

Perata’s Campaigns Overlap in Oakland

February 11, 2010  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Doug Heller, executive director of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, which keeps close tabs on the states initiative process, noted that the proposition will probably face potent opposition from Big Tobacco because it proposes to raise California cigarette taxes by $1 a pack. "In other words, its foolhardy," Heller said, "to spend money now on a local mailer when the tobacco industry will spend millions in the summer and fall attempting to kill the initiative." "Every dollar will be precious in this campaign," Heller said.

Privacy controls on Google’s Buzz are backwards

February 11, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

Google turned its new <a href="http://www.google.com/buzz">"Buzz" </a>social networking function on in my Gmail account today and I spent some time checking it out. Conclusion: it's got the privacy controls backwards.<br/> <br/> While...

Google’s Buzz will give Internet giant even more data

February 10, 2010  ·  John M. Simpson

Google launched its much anticipated <a href="http://www.google.com/buzz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social networking service, Buzz,</a> today aimed a competing with sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> and Twitter....