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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Calif. Privacy Battle Not Over

Calif. Privacy Battle Not Over

<p class="source">Wired Magazine</p> <p>The California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights today accused President Bush of backtracking on campaign promises to expand financial privacy.</p>
Would-be investor runs afoul of Patriot Act

Would-be investor runs afoul of Patriot Act

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Consumer advocates also fear the Patriot Act will give companies another reason to invade privacy and prevent some people without criminal intent from opening accounts. "This ranges between stupid, insidious and dangerous," says Doug Heller with FTCR.</p>
New state privacy law threatened;

New state privacy law threatened;

<h3>Federal law could block bills protecting financial information</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Ideally, there should be a strong national law. Consumers should have the right to say no to affiliate sharing." said Jamie Court of Santa Monica's Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights, while in Washington.</p>
Group: Washington to Limit Financial Privacy Rights

Group: Washington to Limit Financial Privacy Rights

<p class="source">FOXNews.com</p> <p>Jamie Court complained that President Bush has failed to fulfill campaign promises to protect consumers' privacy. Before the 2000 election, Bush called privacy a "fundamental right" and said Americans should have "absolute control" over personal info</p>
Don’t Override State Privacy Laws, Activist Says

Don’t Override State Privacy Laws, Activist Says

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>"How safe is America's privacy when you can buy the Social Security number of the director of the CIA for $26 on the Internet?" said Court, who heads the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, CA.</p>
Former Davis Donors Give to Rivals; Schwarzenegger Breaks Money Vow;

Former Davis Donors Give to Rivals; Schwarzenegger Breaks Money Vow;

<h3>The governor is the top fund-raiser. The actor takes donations after pledging</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"To say a huge developer and other special interests won't come knocking at your door is stupid," said Jamie Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "He has to give this money back or else he will</p>
An Outsider Candidate Who Favors Insider Advice

An Outsider Candidate Who Favors Insider Advice

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>"The election is shaping up as a runoff between the same political establishment that got us into this mess over the last 10 years," Mr. Rosenfield of FTCR said. "The Wilson Republicans and the Davis Democrats."</p>
Candidate made call in fraud probe of kin

Candidate made call in fraud probe of kin

<h3>Bustamante's aunt was imprisoned in meals-program fraud case.</h3><p class="source">Orange County Register (California)</p> <p>"He's not calling up State Farm, he is calling a state government agency over which he has some influence," said Doug Heller, with the FTCR, "The danger is the recipient of the call might interpret that they are trying to exert influence, even if that isn</p>
Assembly OKs whistle-blower bill

Assembly OKs whistle-blower bill

<p class="source">ASSOCIATED PRESS</p> <p>A bill broadening whistle-blower protections for employees who report, or refuse to participate in, illegal employer activities was approved Thursday by the state Assembly.</p>