I went online to buy anti-virus protection for $9.99. The company charged my card $29.99. It was VTech who tried to sell me all kinds of stuff I didn’t need. They were in my computer with my permission but I think they put something in to track me because they called…
Internet
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Consumers Union Documents
- Consumer Comments to the NTIA on “Multistakeholder Process To Develop Consumer Data Privacy Codes of Conduct”
April 2, 2012 National Telecommunications and Information Administration 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230 Submitted via email to privacyrfc2012@ntia.doc.gov Consumer Comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on “Multistakeholder Process To Develop Consumer Data Privacy Codes of Conduct” Docket No. 120214135–2135–01 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) requested comment on Continue Reading
- Comments to the NTIA on “Multistakeholder Process To Develop Consumer Data Privacy Codes of Conduct
April 2, 2012 National Telecommunications and Information Administration 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230 Submitted via email to privacyrfc2012@ntia.doc.gov Comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on “Multistakeholder Process To Develop Consumer Data Privacy Codes of Conduct” Docket No. 120214135–2135–01 The undersigned organizations appreciate the opportunity to respond to the National Continue Reading
- Tracking Protection on Google Chrome for Mac
Take control of your privacy and utilize the tools available to you on Google Chrome! Privacy tools are improving with each version of Google Chrome, so it is important to download the latest version of Chrome here. Then get started on the simple slideshow below to see what your options are for tracking protection from Continue Reading
- Tracking Protection on Safari for Mac
Take control of your privacy and utilize the tools available to you on Apple Safari! You can only use the Do Not Track tool in Safari version 5.1 and higher, so download the latest version here. Then get started on the simple slideshow below to see what your options are for tracking protection from websites! Continue Reading
- Tracking Protection on Firefox for Mac
Take control of your privacy and utilize the tools available to you on Mozilla Firefox! Firefox continues to improve its privacy tools with each version, so it is important to download the latest version of Firefox here. Then get started on the simple slideshow below to see what your options are for tracking protection from Continue Reading
- Google Chrome 17 tools to block unwanted tracking
If you’ve been worried that Google, master of the internet information universe, can too easily track you around the web…then its time to do something about it. Upgrade to Chrome 17 and finally take back your privacy. Not many folks are using Chrome 17 just yet. Download it now, and we’ll show you how. GC17TrakingProtection Continue Reading
- Better Privacy Controls with IE9
If you use Internet Explorer to surf the net, you can improve your web privacy significantly with IE9 tools. Most people have not yet updated to IE 9, which was released in March 2011, so we encourage you to do that first. If you have Windows XP or earlier you cannot upgrade to IE9. Internet Continue Reading
- How to use your browser privacy tools: we show you!
We’ve created quick slide presentations that walk you through the privacy controls on your browser and give you tips to increase your privacy when you surf the net. First, pick your browser! Learn about better privacy tools for: Internet Explorer for PC Mozilla Firefox for PC Google Chrome for PC Apple Safari for Mac Mozilla Continue Reading
- Mozilla Firefox 10 Privacy Tools
Firefox 10 offers some real improvements over its predecessors when it comes to privacy. After a number of “beta” test launches, the final version of this browser was released January 2012. Since it is so new, most users have not yet upgraded. So first, we recommend you download it if you are not already using Continue Reading
- Consumers Union Comments to FTC on Facial Recognition Technologies
January 31, 2012 Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Room H-113 (Annex P) Washington,DC20580 Comments of Consumers Union Face Facts: A Forum on Facial Recognition Project Number P115406 Consumers Union,[1] the public policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports®, appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on “Face Facts: A Forum on Facial Recognition Continue Reading
Consumers Union News Releases
- Bill Shock deadline: CU asks carriers for update
Wireless carriers pledged to provide free alerts to customers who are approaching their usage limits
- Consumer, privacy, health, child groups: Facebook space for preteens must protect privacy, be ad-free and marketing-free
Monday, June 18, 2012 Consumer, privacy, health, child groups: Facebook space for preteens must protect privacy, be ad-free and marketing-freeWASHINGTON – In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a coalition of consumer, privacy, health and child advocacy groups called on the company to provide strong privacy and marketing safeguards for children if it proceeds Continue Reading
- Facebook reportedly considers access for pre-teens: Statement by Consumers Union
Monday, June 4, 2012 Facebook reportedly considers access for pre-teens: Statement by Consumers Union WASHINGTON — The Wall St. Journal today reported that Facebook is developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years old to use the site under parental supervision. Last year, Consumer Reports released the results of a national survey that Continue Reading
- Consumers Union: Microsoft’s “Do Not Track” Default Raises the Bar for Privacy Standards
Friday, June 1, 2012 WASHINGTON, DC — Microsoft announced that its upcoming Internet Explorer 10 will feature a default “Do Not Track” privacy setting. The browser, which would allow consumers to say “no” to targeted ads based on personal information and online activity, is the first to make the privacy protection the default mode. Ioana Continue Reading
- CU urges wireless shareholders to support net neutrality
At Sprint’s annual investor meeting on May 15, shareholders will vote for the first time on a measure that calls on Sprint to uphold net neutrality principles on its wireless networks. These principles support an open and free Internet. AT&T and Verizon shareholders recently brought up similar, first-time measures at their annual meetings, and the Continue Reading
- Consumers Union launches petition, ads about Facebook privacy concerns
Thursday, May 3, 2012 Consumers Union launches petition, ads about Facebook privacy concerns WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, is calling on Facebook and its users to pay more attention to privacy online. CU has launched a petition at hearusnow.org to urge Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Continue Reading
- Groups call for cramming protections for wireless
Thursday, April 19, 2012 Consumer, Public Interest Groups Call for Cramming Protections for Wireless, VoIP WASHINGTON, DC – As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares to consider new rules on cramming at its upcoming Open Meeting, consumer and public interest groups sent a letter to the Commission urging them to extend unauthorized third party billing Continue Reading
- Consumers Union praises FTC privacy report
Monday, March 26, 2012 FTC Privacy Report: Statement by Consumers Union WASHINGTON — Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, today praised the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the release of its final report on a framework for online privacy. The FTC report calls for increased online privacy protections and oversight, including Continue Reading
- CU files comments opposing Verizon/cable TV deal
March 26, 2012 Consumers Union files FCC comments in opposition to Verizon/cable TV deal WASHINGTON — Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission in opposition to the proposed spectrum deal between Verizon Wireless and the cable TV companies Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House, and Cox. Continue Reading
- Consumers Union opposes House FCC bills
News Release Consumers Union – Policy and Advocacy Division of Consumer Reports Wednesday, November 16, 2011 WASHINGTON — As a House subcommittee prepares to mark up two bills to restructure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, is urging members to oppose the legislation. The House Continue Reading
Blog Posts
- Internet Explorer 10 Will Enable “Do Not Track” By Default
Microsoft recently announced that its new version of the Internet Explorer browser, IE10, will have the “Do Not Track” setting enabled by default. The “Do Not Track” tool, supported by the Federal Trade Commission and a number of consumer and privacy groups, including Consumers Union, would allow individuals to tell third party sites that they Continue Reading
- Twitter supports Do Not Track
On May 17, Ed Felton, Chief Technologist of the Federal Trade Commission, announced that Twitter would begin supporting Do Not Track. Twitter is partnering with Mozilla to give users the ability to opt out of being tracked in any way through Twitter. Twitter will enable the Do Not Track tool in the Mozilla Firefox browser Continue Reading
- What does candy have to do with car insurance?
As we’ve continued to follow (and update you) on the ongoing W3C process, which seeks to create a standard for a universal Do Not Track Tool, the issue of figuring out who is a first party and who is a third party keeps popping up, again and again, as a key sticking point between stakeholders. Continue Reading
- FTC releases framework for online privacy
In March 2012, the FTC released their final report on online privacy, entitled Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations for Businesses and Policymakers. This is a continuation of their December 2010 preliminary report. The final report calls on Congress to consider enacting privacy legislation and data security legislation. The Commission offers Continue Reading
- CR survey finds that most consumers are still “very concerned” about online privacy
A recent survey1 by Consumer Reports found that 71 percent of respondents were “very concerned” about companies selling or sharing information gathered about them without their permission. Sixty-five percent of smartphone owners were “very concerned” that smartphone apps can access their contacts, photos, location, or other data on their devices without their permission. More than Continue Reading
- Mobile apps can upload your photos and contacts, no permission needed
When you download an app on your smartphone, do you know what types of information that app can gather from your device? Many users expect that apps will only have access to their personal information if granted express permission. However, according to recent New York Times reports, a number of iPhone and Android apps can Continue Reading
- Big Score for Consumer Privacy Rights
It’s been a busy week for online privacy! On Thursday, Consumers Union participated in a White House roll-out of a “Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights,” which sets out general principles about how consumer data should be handled online. The principles focus on granting individuals more control over their privacy online, as well as ensuring Continue Reading
- FTC Says Privacy Disclosures for Kids’ Mobile Apps are “Disappointing”
On February 16, the Federal Trade Commission released a report that looked at the effectiveness of privacy disclosures made by mobile apps for children. The results of the report are dismal. The FTC dubbed the privacy disclosures “disappointing” because it would be nearly impossible for an average consumer to figure out what data a mobile app was Continue Reading
- Every step you take: DNT must include geolocation and mobile apps
Geolocation is an increasingly popular Internet feature with many benefits. With geolocation, you can let your friends know where you are, locate places like restaurants or gas stations nearby, or find out location-specific information like weather and directions. There are many popular websites and apps that encourage users to share their location, such as Twitter, Continue Reading
- Do Not Track: Set it and forget it
The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Tracking Protection Working Group released the first public working draft of a proposed Do Not Track standard in November 2011. While these standards are still in the very early stages of development, we are eager to see solutions that would allow users to prevent third-party tracking. Current tracking prevention tools Continue Reading
News Articles
- A glimpse at Amazon's app store
Bored bloggers at a German website tried typing the expected address of Amazon’s forthcoming app store, and were rewarded with a glimpse of the initial stock and pricing.
- Apple iPad 2 supplies 'threatened by Japan disaster'
The Japanese earthquake and tsunami are threatening supplies of iPad 2 components as Apple prepares to launch the device worldwide.
Tell Facebook to strengthen privacy!
Busy people can still keep up with one another, thanks to tools like Facebook. But managing relationships and managing privacy have always gone hand in hand. Companies like Facebook must create easy to use privacy tools so consumers know how to control who sees what.
Creator Mark Zuckerberg hopes investors will pay $100 billion for Facebook. While the IPO spotlight is on the company, act now to improve privacy. Take action now!