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Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Ballot Initiative Seeks Drug Testing For Doctors

Ballot Initiative Seeks Drug Testing For Doctors

<div class="p402_premium"> <div class="main_text"> <p>As California voters mull a proposed ballot initiative aimed at sniffing out malpractice and abuse, a Bakersfield OB-GYN has lost his license for allegedly writing prescriptions for "illegitimate uses."</p> <p>Dr. Richard Wallrath was already on probation from a 2009 complaint over problems with the way several patients were treated when new allegations surfaced that he'd written prescriptions for himself and gathered prescriptions from multiple other doctors.</p>
Google’s Terms Of Service: We Can Do Whatever We Want

Google’s Terms Of Service: We Can Do Whatever We Want

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2767" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/images_GoogleEmbedded.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 141px; float: right;" width="316" height="222" />From time to time it's instructive to look at an online company's Terms of Service (TOS) so you understand what you're agreeing to when you use it.  A look at Google's TOS is particularly timely because the Internet giant's legal beagles have revised it and the  new one takes effect on Monday.</p>
Is Your U-Verse Down? Here Are U-Options

Is Your U-Verse Down? Here Are U-Options

<p>Business and residential customers affected by outages such as the one that hit <a class="ct saveLink" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/us/tx/dallas/at%26t/3275319">AT&T</a> U-verse broadband users this week may feel helpless, but they do have options, consumer and industry watchdogs say.</p> <p>Customers who lose Internet service, cable channels or phone service should request consideration in the form of refunds, discounts or add-ons to their service package when service lapses such as this one occur, the experts say.</p>
Google Should Apply For Trademark On “Spy”

Google Should Apply For Trademark On “Spy”

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2765" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/images_google-glass1_0.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 160px; float: right;" width="850" height="682" />Perhaps you've heard of Google's latest outrageous gambit. The Internet giant is fighting to trademark the word "Glass."  <br /> <br />
Toxics Regulators Doctor Results of Investigation To Avoid Admitting Wildomar Residents Poisoned

Toxics Regulators Doctor Results of Investigation To Avoid Admitting Wildomar Residents Poisoned

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-20521" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/images_dtscp_logo.jpg" style="width: 121px; height: 90px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="121" height="90" />Santa Monica, CA— A new report released today by leading environmental advocate Penny Newman and residents of the poisoned Wildomar community shows that state toxics regulators doctored data in a preliminary investigation of the Autumnwood housing complex to avoid pinpointing what has poisoned the Riverside County residents and skip any cleanup, Consumer Watchdog said today.<br /> <br />
Backers Of Malpractice Cap Ballot Measure Submit Signatures

Backers Of Malpractice Cap Ballot Measure Submit Signatures

<p>SACRAMENTO -- Proponents of a measure to raise the cap on some medical malpractice damages submitted signatures Monday afternoon to qualify for the November ballot, paving the way for a costly initiative fight.</p> <p>The measure would change a 1975 California law that has limited pain and suffering damages in malpractice cases to $250,000.</p> <p>The law "has been a true hardship for victims and their surviving families," Bob Pack, an Internet executive from Danville, said at a news conference Monday morning.</p>
MICRA Reform Ready To Clear Signature Hurdle, Supporters Say

MICRA Reform Ready To Clear Signature Hurdle, Supporters Say

<p><strong>Ballot measure to lift pain, suffering cap set to clear signature hurdle</strong></p> <p>SACRAMENTO - In addition to lobbying lawmakers, tort lawyers last year threatened they'd turn to voters to raise the cap on medical malpractice suite payouts. Some observers initially greeted the move as a bluff, but as time wore on, it became increasingly clear that plaintiffs' attorneys were gearing up for a fight.</p>
Google’s Hypocrisy Soars To New Heights

Google’s Hypocrisy Soars To New Heights

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2739" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/images_icon-gmail.png" style="width: 175px; height: 175px; float: right;" width="512" height="512" /></p>