Category Archives: Press Releases and Editorials
Consumer Federation Of California Applauds FCC Move To Protect Broadband Privacy
SACRAMENTO – Consumer Federation of California (CFC) welcomed today’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop regulations protecting the privacy of personal information of broadband Internet consumers. “Today’s vote is a significant advance for privacy protection. Consumers should decide whether their online activities and other … Read More ›
CFC Applauds FCC Move To Protect Broadband Privacy
“Today’s vote is a significant advance for privacy protection. Consumers should decide whether their online activities and other personal data are shared with third-party strangers,” CFC Executive Director Richard Holober said. “It is essential that any final FCC rule prohibits broadband carriers from charging extra for privacy. Privacy is a right that should not be available only to the wealthy.” Read More ›
Consumer Federation Of California Releases 2015 Scorecard For State Lawmakers
SACRAMENTO – The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) has released its 2015 Scorecard for State Legislators, which rates lawmakers on the votes they cast on key issues, including privacy, automobile safety, household toxics, truth in advertising, living wages, reform of the California Public Utilities Commission, and other … Read More ›
GEICO Pays $6 Million To Settle Civil Rights, Deceptive Rate Quote Complaint
SACRAMENTO – GEICO agreed to pay $6 million dollars to settle the Consumer Federation of California (CFC) complaint alleging the insurance giant violated civil rights and insurance law by targeting low- and moderate-income women and unmarried motorists with deceptive and inflated automobile insurance rate quotes. The settlement … Read More ›
Secret Business Recording Of Customer Cell Phone Calls Remains A Crime
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 925 (Low), a bill to allow businesses to secretly record cell phone calls with customers, was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee May 28. Secret phone recording remains a crime under California law. Read More ›
Assembly Committee Approves Secret Recordings Of Cell Phone Calls
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Committee on Public Safety voted 5-2 today to allow businesses to secretly record cell phone calls with customers under Assembly Bill 925 (Evan Low, D-Campbell), undermining a longstanding legal prohibition on such recordings in California. The committee’s two Republicans voted No on AB 925, taking a stand against weakening a key consumer protection. Low and his fellow Democrats approved the bill – a vote for secret recordings. Read More ›
Opponents Target Bill Lifting Ban On Secret Recordings Of Cell Phone Calls
SACRAMENTO – Two dozen consumer, privacy, senior, student, labor and immigrant advocacy groups urge the defeat of Assembly Bill 925 (Evan Low, D-Campbell), which would eliminate a longstanding prohibition against businesses secretly recording cell phone calls with customers. The Assembly Committee on Public Safety hears the bill at 9 a.m. today (May 5). Read More ›
AB 925 Lets Debt Collectors, Subprime Lenders, Others Secretly Record Phone Calls
SACRAMENTO – A coalition of California consumer, privacy, senior, student, labor and immigrant advocates urge the defeat of Assembly Bill 925 (Evan Low, D-Campbell), which would eliminate a longstanding prohibition against secret recordings of consumer cell phone calls by subprime lenders, debt collectors, student loan companies, hotels, health care providers, retailers and other businesses. Key backers of AB 925 include AT&T, Verizon and high-tech corporate lobbyists. Read More ›
AB 886 (Chau) Protects Uber Passenger Privacy
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 886 (Chau, D-Monterey Park) will protect the sensitive personal information and credit card records of passengers using transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber. Read More ›
California Privacy Advocates Urge Defeat Of Federal Data Breach Notice Bill
SACRAMENTO – Six California privacy and consumer groups have called on members of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee to oppose federal legislation that would wipe out California’s landmark data breach notification laws. The House Committee may hear the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015 as early as Wednesday, April 15. California Congress members on the House committee are Lois Capps, Tony Cardenas, Anna Eshoo, Doris Matsui and Jerry McNerney. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Watchdog, World Privacy Forum, The Utility Reform Network (TURN), and Consumer Action are urging the members of Congress to defeat the proposed federal bill. – See more at: https://consumercal.org/california-privacy-advocates-urge-defeat-of-federal-data-breach-notice-bill/#sthash.gYAOYSz5.dpuf Read More ›
CFC Sponsors Bill To Protect Seniors From Unethical Long-Term Care Referral Agencies
SACRAMENTO – The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) is sponsoring Senate Bill 648 (Mendoza, D-Artesia) to increase disclosure requirements and strengthen oversight of private placement agencies that refer seniors to residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs). Read More ›
CFC, Firefighters, Environmentalists Back Disclosure of Chemical Hazards in Children’s Products
SACRAMENTO – The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) has joined with professional firefighters and environmental advocates to co-sponsor legislation letting parents know whether products they buy for their children contain ineffective and hazardous flame retardants. Read More ›
GEICO Discriminates Against Unmarried Low-Income Drivers, Consumer Federation Charges
[CFC press release:] GEICO Insurance Co. illegally deceives and discriminates against unmarried, lower or moderate-income motorists by quoting them much higher minimum automobile coverage levels than permitted under state law, the Consumer Federation of California (CFC) alleges in a petition filed today with the California Department of Insurance. Having uncovered this scheme, CFC is calling on the Department of Insurance to enforce state insurance and civil rights laws by ordering GEICO to halt these practices and impose penalties. The targets of GEICO’s deceptive rate quotes are good drivers who have all of these characteristics: are unmarried, not employed in a professional or executive occupation, have not completed college, and are not currently insured. Read More ›