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Anti-Google Video Runs In Times Square
Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that Consumer Watchdog is running a 540-square-foot video billboard advertisement in Times Square, New York that shows Google CEO Eric Schmidt as an ingratiating ice cream truck driver who knows everything about everyone and happily offers free ice cream in exchange for full body scans. The group says its goal is to push Congress and the Federal Trade Commission to create a Do Not Track Me list, similar to the Do Not Call list developed to prevent telemarketers from aggressively calling consumers. 'Do you want Google or any other online company looking over your shoulder and tracking your every move online just so it can increase its profits?' writes the group's president, Jamie Curtis, at the group's web site. 'Consumers have a right to privacy. They should control how their information is gathered and what it is used for.' The FTC's consumer affairs group had no comment on whether the agency is considering creating a Do Not Track Me list."
I'm allergic to dairy, you insensitive clod!
Coming up next, our most recent study showing that Linux is more expensive than Windows.
For most businesses, Linux is more expensive than windows. Anyone who can tie their own shoes can set up a Windows server. Linux, on the other hand, requires someone who at least kind of knows what they're doing, and that commands more money. Not to mention the cost of training the Luddite employees on a new operating system, when it took them 10 years to get used to the last one.
You meant tracking should be opt-in. Opt out is better than what we currently have, because at least you can get out if you want to.
You know, that's a very good point. the only way to NOT track somebody, IS TO TRACK THEM.
Except it's not a good point and what you said is not true. It's very simple to not track someone without knowing a single thing about them. By default you set up your system to not store any information about a user of your website unless you've obtained their consent. Wow, that was hard.
There are quite a few signs pointing to Microsoft funding them. Searching 'Microsoft' on http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/ gives you mostly Google results, despite Microsoft being a convicted monopolist with a long history of abuse, which is the kind of thing a consumer watchdog should be reporting on
This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
The company that ran this promotion (Consumer Watchdog) has been using Google Analytics. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/09/03/businessinsider-anti-google-privacy-group-consumer-watchdog-is-tracking-your-clicks-with-google-analytics-2010-9.DTL Hypocrite, much?
You want to opt-out of being tracked by Google? Simple:
http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
You change your mind about using Google and want to export all your data? Simple:
http://www.dataliberation.org/
The website/organization behind this ad doesn't even mention those links.
You think MS gives you options like this? Facebook?
I'm a big supporter of legit consumer organizations, like the BBB, but this one is clearly bogus. By supporting and giving attention to an organization like this we undermine the legit ones.
Why is this ironic?
They are a shill group paid for by MS to astroturf, so they need to know how well they are doing
(see http://techrights.org/2009/05/04/consumer-watchdog-exposed/)
I recently ran into
(*) Click here to have your nuts bitten off
See how there's no other option?
I'm still having an email fight with them to get them to flip the bit to opt me out. They seem to hesitate whenever I mention federal law, so I'll keep doing that.
Now we know what you two would do for a Klondike bar.
I'd kill a man.
Check out my world simulator thingy.
Or at the very least sign out of Google before you go to www.hotunderagehorserape.com (god I hope that's not a real site).
Under Rule #35, you are now legally required to create it.
Microsoft: http://techrights.org/2009/05/04/consumer-watchdog-exposed/
It's more of a pogostick, really.
http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
There, now you can get out if you want to.
But please, don't let me interrupt you in your witchhunt.
http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/