Category Archives: Latest In Consumer News
Report: Prop 103, $100 billion win for auto insurance consumers
25 Years, $100 billion saved on auto insurance for California consumers! That’s the legacy of Prop 103 in California according to a new report released by the Consumer Federation of America. Read More ›
California Law Allows Kids to Erase Digital Indiscretions
by Ronnie Cohen, Reuters
California teenagers, who post photographs of themselves wearing too little clothing or having had too much to drink, will have the legal right to erase their online indiscretions under newly enacted first-in-the-nation legislation. Read More ›
Victory! AT&T and Verizon’s attack on low-income consumers stopped
CFC Executive Director Richard Holober stated, “An outpouring of opposition from consumers, seniors, organized labor, and the faith community overcame the corporate lobbying clout of AT&T and Verizon. Low-income Californians will continue to have basic phone service, including 911 service, at an affordable price.” Read More ›
Why are we supporting Apple’s sweatshops?
While many of us eagerly await Apple’s next generation iPhone or MacBook, Apple conveniently hides these reprehensible working conditions on the other side of the planet. The tech giant’s glaring and shocking lack of social responsibility plays an oppressive role in the lives of those workers who hustle to make their products. Read More ›
Ineffective, toxic flame-retardant chemicals on the way out
California regulators and lawmakers moving forward on adopting flammability standards that would help eliminate ineffective and toxic flame retardant chemicals linked to neurological problems, infertility, cancer, and other adverse health impacts. Read More ›
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 ›