LA County to Collect More Personal Data Without Public Notice
by Ali Winston, The Center for Investigative Reporting
[Center for Investigative Reporting] County law enforcement officials are preparing to widen a massive database of iris scans, fingerprints, mug shots, palm prints and, potentially, voice recordings, creating the largest such repository outside of the FBI of so-called next-generation biometric identification. With the FBI’s own system now fully operational, the next phase is for local jurisdictions across the country to update their own information-gathering systems to the FBI’s standards. Read More ›
PG&E’s Judge Shopping Outrages State PUC Employees
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
Staff expressed outrage at PUC officials’ promises to help PG&E get the administrative law judge (ALJ) it wanted to hear a rate case that will decide how post-San Bruno explosion costs will be divided between customers and shareholders. PG&E is seeking to have its customers pay nearly $1.3 billion for pipeline improvements following the 2010 blast that killed eight people and leveled 38 homes. PUC President Peevey’s chief of staff resigned and three PG&E executives were fired over what the commission called “inappropriate” back-channel communications to pick an ALJ for the rate case. Read More ›
6 Ways to Outsmart Data Brokers
by Kelly Dilworth, Fox News Network
Think twice about the trail of information you leave behind when you go about your day. Unlike consumer reporting agencies, data brokers aren’t subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act – they don’t have to tell you what they’re collecting, nor do they have to correct your information if it’s wrong. The Federal Trade Commission has asked Congress to step in and regulate the information data brokers are collecting so you have more control over your data. But until that happens, it’s up to you to keep an eye on the information you’re disclosing and protect what privacy you have left. Read More ›
CFC-Sponsored Ban Against Computer Spyware Signed Into Law
SEPT. 18 – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California to protect consumer privacy by restricting the use of spyware on rented computers. Thanks to Assembly Bill 2667 (Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica), consumers who rent a computer or similar electronic device in … Read More ›
Home Depot Says 56 Million Credit/Debit Cards Compromised in Breach
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
The world’s largest home improvement retailer has finally given some idea about the number of accounts that may have been compromised between April and September: approximately 56 million. The Target breach in 2013 resulted in the theft of information of more than 100 million customers. Journalist Brian Krebs reports today that it looks like the Home Depot breach may have been confined to self-service checkout terminals at around 1,700 U.S. stores. Home Depot restated its previous claim that it doesn’t look like PIN information was stolen for debit card users. Read More ›
CFC-Sponsored Ban Against Computer Spyware Signed Into Law
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California to protect consumer privacy by restricting the use of spyware on rented computers. Thanks to Assembly Bill 2667 (Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica), consumers who rent a computer or similar electronic device in California … Read More ›
White House Acknowledges Over-use of Antibiotics in Farm Animals, Shrugs
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
A report from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology that acknowledges a growing over-use of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine “underscores the crisis we’re facing as bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics,” a Natural Resources Defense Council spokeswoman said. “Unfortunately, much more follow through is needed from the Administration. … It must take steps to curb the overuse of antibiotics in animals, which consume about 80 percent of the antibiotics.” Read More ›
Gov. Brown Signs Insurance Bill for Uber and Competitors
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
AB 2293 ensures that drivers for services such as Uber and Lyft don’t rely on personal insurance policies when engaging in commercial activities. Firms must provide $50,000 coverage for injuries to a single passenger, $100,000 for all occupants of a car and have $200,000 worth of coverage available for victims of more serious mishaps. State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones instead backs a proposal at the California Public Utilities Commission, which is expected to incorporate provisions of AB 2293 into proposed regulations now being considered. Read More ›
Shakeup at PG&E, State Agency over ‘Inappropriate’ Talks
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
A string of e-mails shows PG&E influenced the selection of an administrative law judge (ALJ) to decide how much of a burden customers should bear for billions of dollars of gas-pipeline improvements after the September 2010 San Bruno explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. CPUC President Michael Peevey has asked his chief of staff to resign, and he said he would not take part in any commission vote on how much PG&E should be penalized for the blast. PG&E plans to appeal the $1.4 billion penalty, and an appeal would likely come before the commission. Read More ›
New Law Bans Companies from Punishing Online Critics
by Jacob Davidson, Time
The law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, which appears to be the first of its kind in the United States, prevents companies from including “non-disparagement” clauses in their contracts with customers. These clauses are often hidden in long user agreements that many consumers unwittingly agree to when using a service. Such legislation might seem unnecessary since forcefully silencing one’s customers seems to be a clear violation of the First Amendment. However, that hasn’t stopped a number of companies from trying to mute criticism using just the type of contracts this bill outlaws. Read More ›
Report: Student Loan Debt Isn’t Just An Issue For Young Americans
by Ashlee Kieler, Consumerist
A new report from the Government Accountability Office found that 3 percent of households headed by those ages 65 years or older carry student loan debt, totaling $18.2 billion in 2013. Nearly a quarter of older Americans’ loans are in default – which often leaves the retirees living below the poverty threshold. One California resident told a recent Senate Aging Committee hearing she might be well into her 80s before she pays off her student loans, and she now worries that her Social Security benefits will decline to make payments on the debt. Read More ›
Sen. Boxer and Mothers of Children Killed by Medical Malpractice Speak Out for Prop. 46
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer held a press conference at the Consumer Federation of California’s San Francisco office last week. She was joined by five mothers with anguished stories of medical malpractice that took the lives of their children – and hopeful news about how voters can help … Read More ›
Home Depot Data Breach Could Be the Largest Yet
by Nicole Perlroth, The New York Times
The total number of credit card numbers stolen at Home Depot could top 60 million. The breach may have affected any customer at Home Depot stores in the United States and Canada from April to early last week; the attack went unnoticed for as long as five months. The federal government recently estimated that more than 1,000 businesses in the United States had been infected with malware that is programmed to siphon payment card details from cash registers in stores, possibly including UPS, P.F. Chang’s, Michael’s and Neiman Marcus. Read More ›