Consumer Watchdog has created a new anti-Google video portraying Google CEO Eric Schmidt has some kind of evil ice cream man. The video is a commentary on what the group perceives to be Google’s lack of regard for consumer privacy.
Google and Facebook are two of the biggest companies on the web, whatever you think about the privacy practices of either company, both have received a great deal of criticism in this area (though some think the concern about Facebook has been sensationalized by the media). Which do you trust more – Google or Facebook? Comment here.
Specifically, the video draws on an infamous quote from Schmidt in which he said that if you have something you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. Here’s the video:
Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court writes on the organization’s InsideGoogle blog:
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? Consumers have a right to privacy. They should control how their information is gathered and what it is used for.
This avatar-style animation video was created to draw attention to Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s lack of regard for our online privacy.
Some have dismissed Consumer Watchdog as being "out there" or "crazy". Others have similar views about Google as the organization. Update: As a reader pointed out, Silicon Alley Insider has discovered that Consumer Watchdog is doing a little tracking of its own.
Google has actually updated its privacy policies. Though it has not actually changed any of its practices, it has made adjustments to make the policies easier to understand.
Google has actually updated its privacy policies. Though it has not actually changed any of its practices, it has made adjustments to make the policies easier to understand.
This isn’t the first time Eric Schmidt has been portrayed as evil in animated form. Don’t forget about this recent net neutrality-related Taiwanese video:
Court says it is promoting the video 36 times per say on a jumbotron in Times Square. The main message of the video is to get people to tell congress that they want a "Do Not Track Me" list similar to the "Do Not Call" list.
Do you think there should be a "Do Not Track Me" list? Do you think Consumer Watchdog’s video went overboard? Share your thoughts.
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