Consumer Watchdog

Expose. Confront. Change.

Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
President Bush and the choice word…

President Bush and the choice word…

<p class="source">MARKETPLACE - National Public Radio</p> <p>The truth is the new economic freedoms the president will promote come at the expense of political freedoms the nation was founded on -- open courts, representation for taxation, and our collective financial security.</p>
President Bush and the choice word…

President Bush and the choice word…

<!-- excerpt --><p>The truth is the new economic freedoms the president will promote come at the expense of political freedoms the nation was founded on -- open courts, representation for taxation, and our collective financial security.</p>
Governor raked in $28.8 million from ’04 donors;

Governor raked in $28.8 million from ’04 donors;

<h3>The fund-raising feat doubles what Davis collected his first year.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"This is a staggering amount of money for any politician, but even more so for a governor who came into office promising to get rid of money in politics," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
City loses court decision on anti-corruption measure

City loses court decision on anti-corruption measure

<p class="source">Pasadena Star-News (Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>The initiative's backers were elated with the decision and called on Pasadena, and the two other cities that passed nearly identical measures, to stop the legal wrangling and simply let the anti-corruption rules take effect.</p>
City loses court decision on anti-corruption measure

City loses court decision on anti-corruption measure

<p class="source">Pasadena Star-News (Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>The initiative's backers were elated with the decision and called on Pasadena, and the two other cities that passed nearly identical measures, to stop the legal wrangling and simply let the anti-corruption rules take effect.</p>
Telecom bill of rights suspended – for now

Telecom bill of rights suspended – for now

<p class="source">RCR Wireless News</p> <p>"This is a 'cell-out' of the public by unelected political hacks who are beholden to the cell-phone companies," said Harvey Rosenfield of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
State OKs $80 Million in Tax Refunds to Companies;

State OKs $80 Million in Tax Refunds to Companies;

<h3>None of the firms benefiting from a tax credit for equipment purchases paid state income taxes. Activists threaten lawsuit.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The California Tax Reform Assn. and the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights sent board members a letter this week accusing them of coddling California's corporate welfare queens.</p>
State political watchdog fines former PUC commissioner

State political watchdog fines former PUC commissioner

<p class="source">Monterey County Herald (California)</p> <p>FTCR, which originally challenged Duque's investments, said the group is happy that the FPPC got Duque to concede he broke state law. But they are still unhappy that the PUC paid most of his legal fees, which they estimated to be close to $100,000.</p>
Stem cell holdings criticized

Stem cell holdings criticized

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Ten of the 29 directors of California's new stem cell program serve on biotech or pharmaceutical firms' boards of directors or have extensive holdings in those industries, leading critics to challenge their ability to fairly represent taxpayers in dolin</p>