Consumer Watchdog Wants Congress to Hold Hearings on Google's New Privacy Policy

Another consumer group is weighing in on Google’s (News - Alert) controversial new privacy and data policy – which becomes effective next month.

In a letter to Congress, Consumer Watchdog requested that the U.S. House of Representatives Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee hold public hearings on the company’s new privacy and data policy. The group also wants Google CEO Larry Page (News - Alert) to "explain his company's disingenuous statements about its supposed commitment to users' privacy," Consumer Watchdog said. "Consumer Watchdog urges you to call Google CEO Larry Page before the committee in a public hearing and ask him to explain why Google does not honor its promise of user's privacy rights." Page, the letter continues, "should be called to explain the difference between his underlings' statements and the company's actions, particularly the recently announced change in Google's privacy policy and how it handles user data across its services."

The letter was addressed to subcommittee Chair Mary Bono Mack (R-CA (News - Alert)) and Ranking Member G.K Butterfield, (D-NC).

"Various Google executives dispatched to Congress in the past have voiced high-sounding commitments to privacy protections, only to have them flouted by the Internet giant's later action," John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project director, added in the letter.

Google's new privacy policy goes into effect on March 1 – and consumer groups are questioning Google’s motives in coming up with the policy. With the new policy, data from users provides more detailed personal profiles, locations and browsing information to advertisers, Consumer Watchdog said. There is no opt-in option for users with the changes, the group says.

The new privacy policy also allegedly violates Google's consent agreement with the Federal Trade Commission, according to both Consumer Watchdog and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).  EPIC – also a watchdog group for consumers – filed a complaint in court and wants a federal judge to grant a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in the Google case, according to a report from TMCnet.

“The planned revisions would enable Google … to bundle the personal information gathered by its Internet search engine and other services, such as Gmail, YouTube (News - Alert) and Plus, so the company can gain a better understanding of its users and potentially sell more advertising,” EPIC claims, TMCnet reported.