EPIC Sues FTC Over Google's Planned Privacy Changes

angry tapir writes "The Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, asking a court to force the agency to take action against Google over planned changes in the company's collection of personal data. EPIC, in briefs filed Wednesday, asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to require the FTC to enforce a 2011 privacy agreement between the agency and Google over the company's fumbled rollout of its Buzz social networking service."

So I opt out? Consider Tmo

[gearloos]

So, I'm a Tmobile Customer. I opt out. So am I still bound by my contract? I don't particularly need Google snooping any more than they already do, which is considerably. What is the average Joe Android User to do? This is interesting. I know it has no implication if I prefer to not use Google + but they are making Google Plus a mandatory part of using their service. So.. again.. Tmo user opting out. Will Tmo get me out of my contract? interesting...

Google search requires cookies now?

[Anonymous Coward]

For privacy reasons I block all cookies with Firefox using Add-on Cookie Monster (Default Action: Rejected) and only allow certain sites for session cookies via Cookie Monster options.

I did not allow any Google cookies until yesterday and Google search worked fine.

But since yesterday, if I search for something, a left mouse click on a result leads to nowhere, or when i "middle" click, to open result in new tab, I get an empty page with a long URL like http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=reddit&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CD8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2F&ei=CPsyT_z2IM3esgbw_Z3WDA&usg=AFQjCNGP2I23xwAzzicm-TwmDMKVU72m0w&cad=rja

As soon as I enable cookies for Google in Cookie Monster e.g. via "Temporarily Allow", the results open fine.

Can /. confirm this new annoying cookie requirement?

Is this a new "feature" of the privacy-changes?

A slightly different view

[Dhalka226]

So, I think by now a lot of good conversations (and a fair bit of trolling!) have been started in this thread about Google, the changes they want to make, etc. I see no reason to add to that.

What I want to know is simpler: How in the world does EPIC feel it has standing to sue the FCC?

It could sue Google, certainly -- probably as EPIC, but if not it could do it as individual users because each of those users can claim to be effected. But that's where their beef is, and that's where any perceived harm is. The FCC's not blocking a company's change doesn't make them liable for it and it certainly doesn't make them the cause of a tort that EPIC can sue to redress. If there is a violation of law or rights, it originates from Google.

The FCC and Google have an agreement and this may well be in violation of it -- but that is between the FCC and Google. The idea that you can sue a government agency to force it to act in the way you want is pretty ludicrous on its face. How far do you think I would get if I sued the Department of Justice for not arresting Chris Dodd over his claims that the MPAA basically owns the congressmen it donates to?

In finest Slashdot tradition, I am not a lawyer -- but I fully expect this lawsuit to be slapped out of court in short order for lack of standing.