buzz

Google Settles With FTC Over "Buzz," Agrees To 20 Years Of Privacy Audits

Google Settles With FTC Over "Buzz," Agrees To 20 Years Of Privacy Audits

The FTC announced today that Google has settled with the commission over the “Buzz” privacy debacle — agreeing to 20 years of privacy audits. The commission said in a statement that this is the first time an FTC settlement order has required a company to implement a comprehensive program to protect the privacy of consumers’ information. [More]

Google Settles Buzz Lawsuit For $8.5 Million; You Don't Get Any Of It

Google Settles Buzz Lawsuit For $8.5 Million; You Don't Get Any Of It

Hey, remember when Google signed everyone up for Buzz without asking and revealed their private contact lists? The company has now settled a class action lawsuit brought by seven Gmail users. The BBC says that 30% will go to the legal team, while each of those seven users will get $2,500. The rest will not be turned into Google stickers or free AdSense ads for you, but instead will be “shared among organisations that promote online privacy.” [More]

Google Says It Will Ask Early Buzz Users To Doublecheck Their Privacy Settings

Google Says It Will Ask Early Buzz Users To Doublecheck Their Privacy Settings

Wired reports that Google will offer a do-over to early users of Buzz, the social network service that has earned the company criticism and a class-action lawsuit. [More]

FTC Wants Bloggers To Reveal When They're Being Compensated To Promote A Product

FTC Wants Bloggers To Reveal When They're Being Compensated To Promote A Product

You know what’s worse than not having a big bag of M&Ms on your desk to enjoy while you work? Having to read a blogvertisement disguised as editorial content! Hold on, I have to eat some more M&Ms. Good gravy these are delicious. Did you know M&M’s cure malaria? It’s true! Anyway, the FTC says bloggers should reveal when they’re being compensated in some way to promote a product, and I agree.