Starbucks iPhone app vulnerable, security specialist says
by Ángel González, Seattle Times
The Starbucks iPhone app stores customers’ personal data in unencrypted form that leaves it vulnerable to computer-savvy phone thieves, according to a cybersecurity expert whose discovery of the flaw was disclosed this week. Read More ›
CPUC Ignores Cell Phone Privacy
The California Public Utilities Commission buries its heads in the sand regarding cell phone privacy. Read More ›
Apple To Refund At Least $32.5 Million For In-App Purchases By Kids
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
“This settlement is a victory for consumers harmed by Apple’s unfair billing, and a signal to the business community: whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply,” said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. “You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize.” Read More ›
What Secrets Your Phone Is Sharing About You
by Elizabeth Dwoskin, Wall Street Journal
Places were people didn’t think they were being watched are now repositories for collecting information, says Ryan Calo assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Law. “Companies are increasingly able to connect between our online and offline lives,” he says. Read More ›
Consumer advocates seek details from arbitration firms
by Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle
Silvi Rider thought she was buying a brand-new Honda Accord. With interest and the trade-in of her used car, it cost her more than $35,000. But she was stunned to discover that the car, which had 385 miles on the odometer, had previously been owned – meaning … Read More ›
The Next Data Privacy Battle May Be Waged Inside Your Car
by Jaclyn Trop, New York Times
On Monday, the Government Accountability Office released a report stating that some automakers were keeping private data collected from onboard navigation systems and mapping apps for varying lengths of time and that car owners could not request that it be erased. Read More ›
Target says data breach actually affected 70 million customers, including online shoppers
by Staff and Wire Reports, Chicago Tribune
Target Corporation said the massive payment card data breach that occurred during the first three weeks of the holiday shopping season affected 70 million customers, 30 million more than its previous estimate. Read More ›
FTC’s tax identity theft awareness week offers advice, guidance
by Jay Mayfield, Federal Trade Commission
January 13-17 is the Federal Trade Commission’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. The FTC is hosting 16 events across the country, including in California, along with a series of webinars designed to raise awareness about tax identity theft and provide consumers with tips on how to protect themselves, and what to do if they become victims. Read More ›
Is your car spying on you? GPS tracks consumers, identity theft at risk
by Phillip Swarts, Washington Times
Despite telling consumers they are collecting the information and seeking consent, companies do not always disclose what information is collected and how it is used. Companies are also inconsistent when it comes to giving drivers the ability to delete their information. Read More ›
Blue Shield of California rate hike is excessive, regulator says
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones criticized Blue Shield of California for an “unreasonable” rate hike affecting about 81,000 individual policyholders. Jones said the insurer’s 10% average increase was excessive, amounting to an average increase of 32% over a two-year period.
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Proposed Federal Laws & Regulation That Could Help Consumers In 2014
by Kate Cox, Consumerist
Here are four key areas — mostly proposed laws and one policy — to keep an eye on throughout the new year. If you want to see any of these federal bills become law, make sure you let your representatives and senators know. Read More ›
Where to complain about a mistake in your credit report
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
An error in your credit report can have serious financial consequences. So, if you find an error in your file, you want it corrected quickly. But that doesn’t always happen. What then? Complain to the feds and they might be able to help. Read More ›
Facebook sued for allegedly selling private message info to marketers
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
Facebook, never exactly a paragon of privacy, has once again been sued by users over allegations of profiting off users’ personal data. This time, the plaintiffs claim that the website is turning links shared in private messages into public “likes,” from which Facebook earns ad revenue. Read More ›