Privacy

Google Glass Raises Privacy And Safety Concerns

April 16, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

Google Glass raises privacy and safety concerns, said Consumer Watchdog in a report released Monday.

Ballot Initiative Seeks Drug Testing For Doctors

April 12, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<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

April 11, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

<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

April 10, 2014  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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”

April 9, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

<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

April 8, 2014  ·  Liza Tucker

<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 />

Google Wants You To Pay Bills With Google Now

March 31, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

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MICRA Reform Ready To Clear Signature Hurdle, Supporters Say

March 24, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<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>

Backers Of Malpractice Cap Ballot Measure Submit Signatures

March 24, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<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>

California Regulators Consider “Big Brother” Hazards Of Driverless Cars

March 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-130b303e-d852-f541-fd36-53397031d1e3">LOS ANGELES — The cars of the future are heading toward a dealership near you — without a human being at the wheel.</p>

Magistrate Denies Google Motion Blocking Lawyers’ Access To Wi-Spy Data

March 18, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

SAN FRANCISCO, CA– A federal magistrate has denied a motion from Google in the Wi-Spy class action suit that plaintiffs said wrongfully would have blocked...

Google’s Hypocrisy Soars To New Heights

March 14, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

<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>