Category Archives: Latest In Consumer News
Apple’s disregard for consumer privacy – a consistent policy
Opposing privacy protections is not new for Apple, as they have continued to breach data protection and consumer rights over the years. As a result, their cult-like following has begun to erode. Read More ›
Apple, Walmart, McDonald’s: Who’s the biggest wage stiffer?
by Paul Buchheit, Nation of Change
Apple, Walmart and McDonald’s are among the largest corporate employers and profit-makers in the U.S., with a total of 2.6 million employees worldwide and combined 2012 pre-tax profits of more than $88 billion. All three companies pay the majority of their employees low wages, poverty-level wages. Read More ›
California’s “Made in USA” label stays strong
Businesses providing 100% American-made products rely on accurate labeling when they undertake campaigns to encourage consumers to buy their products. Without such standards, companies could mislead consumers without fear of liability. AB 890 was rejected by the Senate and SB 661 was held by the author, but the battle isn’t over yet. Read More ›
Progress on toxic flame retardant protections
For nearly four decades, an outdated California furniture flammability standard has led to the widespread use of toxic flame retardant chemicals, without the promised benefits of reducing fire deaths. Read More ›
Apple: Enemy of consumer privacy
CFC sponsored a bill to restore privacy protections, permitting online businesses to collect only a customer’s zip code and other limited information necessary to combat fraud or identity theft. Apple is leading the opposition. Read More ›
Closure of Southern California nuke plant shouldn’t lead to blackouts in Northern California this summer, state says
by Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News
A statewide summer electricity forecast found that even if San Onofre was not operating, the state should have enough electricity to get through the summer without the kinds of blackouts in 2000 and 2001. Read More ›
California utility will close troubled nuclear plant
by Michael Blood, ABC News
The troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant is closing after a 16-month battle over whether the reactors could be safely restarted with millions of people living nearby. Read More ›
iPhones, iPads face U.S. ban as Apple loses ITC case to Samsung
by Diane Bartz, Reuters
Samsung Electronics scored a point on Tuesday over global rival Apple in their long-running battle over mobile device patents. Read More ›
CFC part of working group to stop elder abuse
Consumer Federation of California is part of a coalition of advocates working to enact a package of bills regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons. Read More ›
Update: New flame retardant standard public hearing
California regulators held a public hearing on March 26 to mark the end of a comment period for updating their 38-year old furniture flammability regulation, TB 117, that has been the focus of scientists, firefighters, health advocates and consumers worldwide. Read More ›
California probe recommended into oversight of trillions of dollars in utility ratepayer money
by George Avalos , San Jose Mercury News
The state legislative analyst recommended that auditors probe whether regulators are properly overseeing accounts for utility projects totaling trillions of dollars. Read More ›
California Supreme Court makes it easier for Apple, online businesses to collect personal data
by Howard Mintz, San Jose Mercury News
Online merchants can require consumers to furnish personal information to make credit-card purchases, a divided California Supreme Court ruled, delivering a blow to consumer advocates worried about privacy in cyberspace. Read More ›
A Battle within the CPUC: Cell Phone Privacy Vote
The California Public Utilities Commission is now scheduled to vote on January 16, on opposing Commissioners’ proposals to either take steps to protect consumers’ telecom privacy or to stay with outdated rules that were put in place before cell phones and data-mining applications existed. Read More ›