Privacy

Google Posts Advertising ‘Spin Document’ Online

July 9, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Well, it's a good nod to almost-transparency, anyway. But just so you remember: Google would have preferred you not see these materials at all! And Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court remains concerned...

Consumer Watchdog Takes On Google As Lawmakers Mull Data Privacy Regulation

July 8, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Consumer Watchdog -- which, as the name implies is a consumer watchdog organization -- is raising alarms over privacy concerns that have been brought to the fore as online search company Google engages in wheeling and dealing before the House Communications and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

Obama, Reid show some spine on health care

July 7, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The endless cave-ins on federal health care reform may be ending. President Obama today essentially told his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNFghNrF5FmnHyRZdjqBLh9dIHKLTQ&cid=1272541648&ei=HslTSqi2L5OakgSK9-CPAQ&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2009%2F07%2F07%2Fobama-overrides-aide-on-health-insurance-public-option%2F">quit weakening his position</a> on giving Americans an option to the failed private health insurance market. And Sen. Harry Reid told the head of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, to quit bowing to his GOP counterpart, according to the Washington tip sheet <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/news/36546-1.html">Roll Call</a> (subscription, but excerpts below.)

CSU Chancellor Hires 2 Lobbyists Without Bids

July 6, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

California State University Chancellor Charles Reed has retained high-priced lobbyists without competitive bidding, even though CSU has a Sacramento office where it runs a $1.1 million-a-year, in-house lobbying unit whose state employees monitor CSU-related bills and follow state budget hearings. "The CSU has been particularly aggressive about pursuing this style of privately influencing government," said Dan Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit organization that monitors state politics. "The state university system is paying high-priced lobbyists to trade on their political influence in Sacramento. At the end of the day, that's not good for our public school system. Private interests win out."

DOJ Launches Formal Investigation Into Google Book Search Settlement

July 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The Department of Justice confirms its investigation into whether Google's $125 million Book Search settlement violates U.S. antitrust laws. Opponents fear the agreement gives the search engine giant too much power in the digital book world. The fairness hearing is set for Oct. 7, 2009. "The fact that the Justice Department decided to formally notify the judge in the Google Book Search class action settlement that it is investigating the deal is an important development," consumer advocate for Consumer Watchdog John Simpson said in an e-mail to eWEEK.

Justice Probes Antitrust Issues In Google Deal With Publishers

July 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, also predicted the settlement would "pass muster" because it opens up new markets. But those concerned about the settlement said they were pleased with the Justice Department's letter. "This is now a clear step that they are taking the matter seriously." said John M. Simpson, an advocate for Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit consumer group.

Justice Is Probing Google’s Book Deal

July 3, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The Justice Department on Thursday said it had launched a formal antitrust investigation into the proposed settlement over the Google Inc. project to scan millions of books into a digital format. In recent months, a number of parties have objected to the settlement, including Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, the American Library Assn. and the Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization that seeks to digitize public domain books and make them freely available online. Many of the objections involve concerns that Google would create a monopoly on digital books.

DOJ letter shows Google anti-trust probe is serious

July 2, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The U.S. Justice Department is serious about probing the Google Books settlement for possible anti-trust violations. Consumer Watchdog was one of the first organizations to ask the department to investigate.

DOJ Officially Opens Investigation Into Google Book Search

July 2, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday that it is investigating a settlement involving Google Book Search for possible antitrust violations, following months of speculation that the agency had its eye on the service. Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group, argues that the proposal gives Google special protections against lawsuits over the orphan works. Those special protections would discourage potential Google competitors from entering the digital book business unless they could negotiate a similar protection, the group argues. Consumer Watchdog has urged the DOJ to examine the settlement.

Google Makes a Case That It Isn’t So Big

June 29, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Eyes are rolling, especially in reaction to the idea that Google is a relatively small player in a giant market. “They describe where they are in a market under a kind of a fairy-tale spun gloss that doesn’t reflect their dominance of key sectors,” said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. “Google search is an absolute must-have for every marketer in the world.”<br /> </p>

State Panel Critical Of Stem Cell Institute — Commission Offers Structural Changes

June 27, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> John Simpson of the Santa Monica group Consumer Watchdog said many of the recommended changes could be implemented without delay. One example would be setting up a program to discipline board members who regularly miss meetings. </p>

State Stem Cell Board Needs Overhaul, Group Says

June 27, 2009  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<span>To reduce potential conflicts of interest in the state's $3 billion stem cell research program, a government watchdog group called Friday for an overhaul of the program's governing board. T</span><span>he recommendations drew praise from John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog, who had sought such changes. "This is a thoughtful and thorough analysis from a bipartisan group with no ax to grind," he said.</span>