Released today, “Google’s DoubleClick Takeover: Double Data-Dealing” is Jeff Chester’s latest polemic against the proposed $3 billion merger with DCLK. As the FTC moves closer to a decision on the deal, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy hosted a press conference showcasing privacy advocates.
“No piracy of privacy” groups EPIC, US PIRG and other GOOGOpponents also discussed (advocated) challenges to the merger and restrictive remedies the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) might impose to protect (what’s left of) Internet privacy and preserve (what’s left of) online competition.
Of course the Right might say there’s nothing left of Jeff Chester, executive director of The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) and frequent contributor to The Nation. Antitrust and consumer privacy issues don’t warrant fear mongering.
Chester’s recently published book, “Digital Destiny: New Media and the Future of Democracy” (The New Press, 2007) presupposes the existence of U.S. democracy and, in turn, its presumed demise. Some may argue that new media and search engines foster faith in democracy’s digital resurrection. If so, those lucky few weren’t invited to today’s piracy of privacy party.