Privacy

Judge Rejects $324.5M Wage-Fixing Deal Struck By Apple, Google, Others As Too Low

August 8, 2014 · Mark Reback

Judge Lucy Koh says class action suit, also involving Intel and Adobe, has compelling evidence that former Apple CEO Steve Jobs was "a, if not the, central figure in the alleged conspiracy." A US district court judge has rejected a settlement reached in a wage-fixing lawsuit involving Silicon Valley powerhouses such as Apple and Google, saying the $324.5 million deal is too low.

Senate Investigation Finds “Major Problems” in State Toxics Dept.

August 7, 2014 · Mark Reback

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-10691" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/images_dtsccollections.jpg" style="width: 311px; height: 175px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="320" height="180" />The senate office charged with investigating state agencies recently found that the <a href="http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Toxic Substances Control</a> has failed to live up to its mission in several key areas.

Sprint’s Abandoned T-Mobile Bid a Consumer Win? Depends

August 6, 2014 · Mark Reback

“Consumers Win,” shouted the subject line of the e-mail that rushed into reporters’ inboxes soon after the news emerged that Sprint Corp. (<a class="ticker" data-symbol="S:US" href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=S:US">S:US</a>) was abandoning its bid for T-Mobile US Inc. (<a cla

Wikimedia Blasts Europe’s ‘Right to Be Forgotten’

August 6, 2014 · Mark Reback

Wikimedia's impassioned argument against Europe's "right to be forgotten" law has generated some head-scratching. "I don't think they understand the privacy issues involved," said Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. "No one is saying Wikipedia has to take down anything -- just that the link from anyone's name would have to be removed. The data would still be there."

Advocates, IAB Weigh In On Privacy ‘Bill Of Rights’

August 5, 2014 · Mark Reback

A coalition of advocacy groups are reiterating their call for a privacy “bill of rights” that would limit marketers' ability to collect or use data about individuals. “Industry self-regulation is not enough, and has failed to inform or protect consumers,” the organizations said Tuesday in a letter to the Commerce Department. The letter was signed by the ACLU, Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Watchdog, Common Sense Media, and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Cops Snag Child Pornography Suspect, Thanks to Gmail Scan

August 4, 2014 · Mark Reback

Google helped nail an alleged child pornographer, and though he's innocent until proven guilty, the case for the prosecution looks quite strong. The nature of the crime makes it difficult for privacy advocates to object strenuously to Google's methods, but there have been murmurs of concern. Google is setting itself up outside the legal system, suggested Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson. A routine scan of a Texas man's Gmail by Google has led to his arrest on child pornography possession and promotion charges.

California Asks: Should Doctors Face Drug Tests?

August 1, 2014 · Mark Reback

LOS ANGELES — At a time when random drug testing is part of the job for pilots, train operators, police officers and firefighters — to name a few — one high-profile line of work has managed to remain exempt: doctors.

Watchdogs Prod FTC To Intervene In Google Privacy Settlement

July 31, 2014 · Mark Reback

Some watchdogs are trying to convince the Federal Trade Commission to intervene in a class-action lawsuit alleging that Google violated users' privacy. Google agreed to settle the case last year for $8.5 million, but opponents call the settlement a “farce” because it doesn't require the company to change its practices. The privacy advocates -- including the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Watchdog, Patient Privacy Rights and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse -- want the FTC to voice opposition to the settlement.

Higher Turnout and Other Fall Election Certainties

July 25, 2014 · Mark Reback

Make no mistake, the fall election season began on the evening of June 3, just as soon as the primary election polls closed. But no one has spent much on the election since then, nor has the vast majority of voters focused on any issues to be decided in November.

Google Targeted Again For Illicit Drug Ads

July 24, 2014 · John M. Simpson

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2791" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/images_google-drug-fine.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 141px; float: right;" width="360" height="225" />Remember back in 2011 when <a href="http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/August/11-dag-1078.html">Google settled with the U.S. Department of Justice</a> on charges that it was knowingly selling advertising on its site to Canadian pharmacies that led to illegal importation of prescription drugs? The Internet giant paid $500 million as a penalty. Apparently the settlement didn’t have a tremendous impact on the way Google does business.

This Is Where The Tech Giants Are Spending Their Money In DC

July 24, 2014 · Mark Reback

Google, Apple, and all the other tech giants have a vested interest in many of the decisions coming out of Washington, DC. Whether it's how immigration policy will affect the pool of talent HR can pick from, or laws on data and privacy, the rulings coming out of the Capitol can have a huge impact on the tech world. And so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that these companies are spending lots of money on lobbying efforts.

Stem Cell Agency Tightens Ethics Rules