Category Archives: Latest In Consumer News
FCC Unveils Plan to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules
by Alina Selyukh, KQED
The Federal Communications Commission will vote Dec. 14 on a plan to undo the landmark 2015 rules that had placed Internet service providers under the strictest-ever regulatory oversight. The vote is expected to repeal so-called net neutrality rules, which prevent broadband companies from slowing down or blocking any sites or apps, or otherwise deciding what content gets to users faster. Read More ›
Republicans could fund tax cuts by raiding workers’ 401K savings
by Kate Cox, The Consumerist
Republicans in Congress want to pass a tax cut. That’s kind of their thing. But taxes fund things; the government uses the money. But slashing the maximum limit for 401(k) contributions is unlikely to be warmly greeted by pretty much anyone. Read More ›
Student loan defaults increase for first time in five years
by Ashlee Kieler, Consumerist
For the first time in half a decade, the rate of education loan defaults among recent college students has risen, highlighting the struggle many recent graduates face when it comes to paying their educational debts. The default rate remained steady for students who had enrolled in public schools, while it increased for students at private and for-profit colleges. Read More ›
The nursing home industry’s war to deny patients their day in court
by F. Paul Bland, Jr., The Legal Examiner
Arbitration is nothing like going to court. Arbitration takes place outside of a courtroom, without a judge, without a jury, and with limited opportunity to seek or present evidence. What’s more, the proceedings are entirely confidential and are often presided over by arbitrators paid for by the defendant. Read More ›
States consider limited internet service providers’ access to user data
by Todd Shields, Chicago Tribune
Soon after President Donald Trump took office with a pledge to cut regulations, Republicans in Congress killed an Obama-era rule restricting how broadband companies may use customer data such as web browsing histories. Read More ›
Fake celebrity skin care ads dupe consumers with ‘Free Trial’ offers
by David Emory, Snopes
The perpetrators use networks of bogus web sites, social media, and e-commerce technology to trick users into ordering “free trials” of supposedly celebrity-endorsed products, only to find they’ve unknowingly signed up to receive regular shipments for which they’re automatically charged on a monthly basis. Read More ›
Legislation introduced to address Wells Fargo scandal
“Wells Fargo’s customers were ripped off twice,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of Consumer Federation of California. “First, the bank created two million fraudulent accounts. Then when consumers tried to sue, the bank forced them into company-dominated arbitration hearings. SB 33 will guarantee that the victims of a bank’s identity theft will get their day in court.” Read More ›
Talks begin over bill inspired by Wells Fargo scandal
by Dominic Fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle
Legislative deliberations continued Tuesday over a bill that seeks to prevent financial institutions accused of defrauding their customers from pulling legal disputes out of the state court system and into private arbitration. Read More ›
California bill seeks to help fraud victims of banks
[Senate Bill 33] would help victims of fraud committed by their financial institution after thousands of Americans fell victim to a Wells Fargo scandal. Read More ›
“Eavesdropping” toys could be banned in California over privacy concerns
by Jen McGuire, Romper
After receiving several complaints from consumer groups, the state of California looked at creating a new bill aimed at protecting children’s privacy…from their toys. Read More ›
Pesky automatic subscription renewals might soon be easier to cancel
by Dennis Romero, LA Weekly
You subscribe to a magazine or join a gym for a special rate and months later realize you’re paying a lot more for renewals. And those fees keep hitting your bank account while you try to figure out how to make it stop. Read More ›
California: Weighing a Response on Internet Privacy
by Mike McPhate, New York Times
President Trump this month signed a resolution to undo internet privacy rules that would have kept companies like AT&T and Comcast from selling users’ browsing histories and other personal data. Almost immediately, a number of states moved to pass new rules that would in effect replicate those nullified by Congress. But California, a pioneer of privacy protections, has so far been silent. Read More ›
A short history of Uber’s recent struggles
Uber has not had a great start to the year. The ride-hailing company has been reeling from a public battering over claims of willful discrimination, allegations of intellectual-property theft and the departure of several executives. The controversies have resurfaced a debate over Uber’s hard-charging internal culture and the consequences of its win-at-any-cost attitude to business and regulation. Read More ›