Privacy

FTC Says Google, Apple Probe Still On As Spotlight Shifts

August 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Consumer Watchdog Wants Genentech Exec To Quit Google Or Apple Board</strong><br /> <br /> Consumer Watchdog, formerly known as the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, called on former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson to pick one board or the other. ?It took Eric Schmidt far too long to realize that the two roles are incompatible. That's not surprising considering the clubby atmosphere of Silicon Valley,? said John M. Simpson, a Consumer Watchdog consumer advocate, in a written statement. ?Nonetheless, we're glad Schmidt finally did the right thing. We call on Levinson to act responsibly and choose one company or the other.?

U.S. FTC To Press On With Apple-Google Board Probe

August 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it will continue to investigate the relationship between the boards of Apple Inc. and Google Inc., after Google's chief, Eric Schmidt, quit Apple's board on Monday. A consumer rights group criticized Schmidt for taking too long to leave Apple's board, and called on former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson to choose either Apple or Google. "Nonetheless, we're glad Schmidt finally did the right thing," Consumer Watchdog said in a statement. "We call on Levinson to act responsibly and choose one company or the other."

Genentech’s Levinson Still Straddles Apple, Google

August 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Now that Google chairman and chief executive Eric Schmidt no longer serves on the board of Apple, an industry group is calling for Genentech chairman Arthur Levinson to choose sides. As of Sunday, both Levinson and Schmidt served on the boards of both Apple and Google. Now Levinson is the only one to straddle both boards, a position that Consumer Watchdog said also presents a conflict of interest. </p>

Grad student sparks online advertising reforms

July 31, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=28561">A week ago I wrote</a> about how a graduate student, <a href="http://www.dubfire.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Soghoian</a>, had exposed the online industry-touted...

Long Term, The Microsoft-Yahoo Deal Could Benefit Consumers

July 31, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog raised concerns about how users' personal data is collected, stored and shared. He's worried about "up-until-now separate databases being merged and used in ways that haven't been made explicit." Simpson hopes to see Microsoft and Yahoo come up with a data retention policy that expunges personal information in about a month and says that, by default, they shouldn't collect behavioral information unless consumers opt-in. </p>

Microsoft-Yahoo Deal Faces Moderate Antitrust Scrutiny, Say Experts

July 30, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Microsoft and Yahoo finally tied the knot, but they signed an expansive pre-nup to limit antitrust scrutiny. Vocal Google critic Consumer Watchdog didn't denounce the deal outright, noting that "some have suggested" that the tie-up may increase competition against Google. But the Microsoft-Yahoo deal is a chance for regulators to "set to the gold standard for privacy guarantees by Internet companies and for the government to use its leverage to obtain it," it said. Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson said the FTC should take a strong lead on privacy matters. "If the result of this deal is that there are two stronger Internet search enterprises who exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights, consumers are worse off, not better," he said. "Justice and the FTC can -- and must -- insist on this." </p>

Consumer Advocates Exhort DOJ, FTC To Scrutinize Microsoft-Yahoo Deal

July 30, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

John Simpson, an advocate with non-profit group Consumer Watchdog, also said the Microhoo deal must be closely scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department and the European Commission to ensure that there are no antitrust violations and that user privacy is guaranteed. "If the result of this deal is that there are two stronger Internet search enterprises who exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights, consumers are worse off, not better," said Simpson. "Users must have control of their data—whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can—and must—insist on this."

Microsoft, Yahoo Finally Sign Search Deal

July 30, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Microsoft and Yahoo clearly are bracing for regulatory scrutiny. The news release emphasized that the two companies will "continue to compete vigorously" in other areas, including e-mail, instant messaging and display advertising. It also stressed that the agreement restricts the sharing of search and other data. Consumer Watchdog in Washington, D.C., called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to probe the deal for potential antitrust violations and privacy concerns.

Microsoft-Yahoo! Pact Hit With Anti-Trust Question

July 29, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Three-Into-Two Doesn't Wash</strong><br /> <br /> Consumer Watchdog noted the competitive search and advertising landscape will deteriorate - not improve - if the result is two enterprises that exploit users' data at the expense of their privacy rights. John Simpson, an advocate with the group, said the FTC and DoJ must insist users retain control of their data, how it's used, and where its stored. "Users must have control of their data - whether it is collected and how it is used. Guarantees of that control must be in place before this deal is approved. Justice and the FTC can - and must - insist on this," he said in a statement.

Jerry Brown’s Favorite Charities Get Millions

July 29, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog of Washington, D.C., said "in the most ethical sense, the candidate does not control these payments. But they function the same as any other contribution that a candidate requests a donor to make" in currying favor, she said, while allowing the donor benefit of getting a charitable tax deduction.

Suit Against Apple for Selling Defective iPod NANOs

July 28, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Apple introduced the slim, first-generation iPod Nano in 2005 to much fanfare.  Unfortunately for many consumers, the product quickly developed cracks and streaks in the screen as well as severe scratching that rendered the device unsightly and unreadable.

Experts: Make the (Transparent) Case for Behavioral Advertising

July 28, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

When the online advertising industry recently issued seven principles to protect consumer privacy, you could see the lines being drawn. John Simpson, consumer advocate for California-based nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, doesn’t believe this industry will be able to regulate itself. He believes opting in should be consumers’ choice, not the current model where they have to work to opt out of having their Web-surfing habits monitored. He says that if advertisers clearly explain their programs and how that benefits customers, those users are likely to be willing to be part of it.<br />