Category Archives: Press Releases and Editorials
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16, on opposing Commissioners’ proposals to either take steps to protect consumers’ telecom privacy or to stay with outdated rules that were put in place before cell phones and data-mining applications existed.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 ›
In addition to CFC press releases and op-eds written by CFC and published around the state, selections below include selected CFC advocacy blog posts through 2013.
California consumer laws in effect in 2013
Here is a look at some of the consumer rights bills that the Consumer Federation of California supported that were signed into law and will take effect in 2013. Read More ›
CFC supports bill creating oversight and transparency of CPUC giveaways
Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, was joined by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, and representatives from The Utility Reform Network (TURN), at a press conference today to unveil legislation that would prohibit the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from giving away millions of dollars in ratepayer money to third parties without oversight and transparency. Read More ›
Statement from Consumer Federation of California Regarding the Ruling Against Prop 33 Proponents
This is an important win for California voters…The judge rejected the effort to censor the truth and agreed that the statements about the measure made by the AG and consumer organizations are not false or misleading. Read More ›
Growing Coalition to Stop Prop 33’s Auto Insurance Hikes
The Consumer Federation of California announces that a growing number of consumer, labor, senior, faith-based, and other advocacy groups are opposing unfair auto insurance hikes with Prop 33. Read More ›
AB 439 Would Weaken Medical Privacy Law
by By Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
AB 439 (Skinner) is before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a vote on Tuesday July 3. The bill would create loopholes in the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), placing patients at risk of repeated unauthorized release of confidential health information on a massive scale. Read More ›
Strong Voter Support for California Medical Privacy Law
Opponents of AB 439 include: Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, CALPIRG, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, California Alliance for Retired Americans, Electronic Frontier Foundation and World Privacy Forum. Read More ›
Consumer Groups: Stop McKesson’s Attack on Medical Privacy
Consumer and privacy advocates are urging State Senators to defeat legislation sponsored by McKesson Corporation that would take the teeth out of California’s medical privacy law. Read More ›
CFC applauds Governor Brown’s call to revise toxic flammability standards
We applaud Governor Brown’s call for state regulators to revise an antiquated furniture fire safety standard that has exposed millions to dangerous levels of toxic flame retardant chemicals. Read More ›
CFC: Did chemical lobbyists violate the law?
by Ricahrd Holober, Market Watch
The Consumer Federation of California is calling on California regulators to investigate a chemical industry front group named Citizens for Fire Safety for possible violations of California law when it paid an expert witness who provided false testimony to legislators. California Government Code Section 86205 states “no … Read More ›
Carrier IQ Revelations and Smart Phone Privacy
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt/Consumer Federation of California
Since this Carrier IQ story broke last week, we’ve learned that the company’s spying technology is present on 141 million phones, including Androids and iPhones and possibly models made by BlackBerry, Nokia and other manufacturers. Read More ›
Consumers Get a Breath of Fresh Air from Jerry Brown
by Richard Holober, CFC Executive Director, California Progress Report
On issues ranging from household toxics to food safety to elder abuse to personal privacy, Governor Jerry Brown has demonstrated much greater empathy with consumer protection than his predecessor. Read More ›