Maker of wildly popular flashlight app failed to tell users it was sharing their location info
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
The FTC alleges that failing to disclose the sharing of location info with third parties and the app’s collection and sharing of data regardless of whether the user had agreed to the EULA is deceptive marketing, as this is information that consumers should have been made aware of before installing the app. Read More ›
Couple fined for negative online review
by Pamela Brown, CNN
A Utah couple is facing a $3,500 fine and a damaged credit score for doing what many people do after a bad purchasing experience: posting an online review. Read More ›
‘Tis the season for scams: 10 holiday rip-offs to avoid
by Jeff Rossen, Avni Patel and Jovanna Billington, Today.com
With the holiday shopping madness about to begin, consumer groups say scammers are ready and waiting to exploit the chaos and take advantage of our desire to get the hottest gifts at the best prices. Read More ›
Anthem Blue Cross posts Social Security, tax numbers of 24,500 doctors
by Chad Terhune, LA Times
In a departure from most medical privacy cases, Anthem Blue Cross said it accidentally posted online Social Security or tax identification numbers for about 24,500 California doctors. Read More ›
Black Friday madness – it’s not always about the deals
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
Why do so many people stand in line for hours outside major retail stores — often in the bitter cold — to get caught in a stampede of crazed shoppers racing to snag a limited number of doorbuster deals? Read More ›
FDA orders 23andMe to halt sales of home DNA test kits
by The Associated Press, NYDailyNews.com
FDA regulators say that the Silicon Valley company has not shown that its tests are safe or effective and orders 23andMe to stop marketing its test immediately, warning that erroneous results could cause customers to seek unnecessary or ineffective medical care. Read More ›
Scrutiny over disparity in loan fees at auto dealerships
by Rachel Abrams, New York Times
Dealerships are not required to disclose what percentage of the interest rate goes to them, and consumer advocates and some regulators are concerned that dealers’ ability to decide how much to charge has led to discriminatory lending against minorities. That concern has prompted a number of government investigations into the growing business of auto lending. Read More ›
New California fire standard can be met without toxic flame retardant chemicals
by Michael Hawthorne and Sam Roe, Chicago Tribune
California threw out the 38-year-old outdated flammability rule and approved a new one that furniture manufacturers can meet without using toxic flame retardants. Read More ›
Which company offers the best cell phone service?
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
Once again, Verizon is the highest-rated of the major carriers, but several small wireless companies were significantly better at delivering value and making their customers happy. Read More ›
Groupon launches Freebies, entering the coupon segment
by Wailin Wong, Chicago Tribune
The new national campaign will offer promotion codes and coupons that don’t require customers to buy anything upfront. Groupon says 5,000 brands including Best Buy, Reebok, Land’s End, Nordstrom and Sephora are signed up. Read More ›
Warning on chemicals in children’s furniture
by Stephanie M. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
Children may enjoy plopping down in foam-filled chairs just their size, but a report released by several advocacy groups says those chairs may contain flame retardants that could be harmful. Read More ›
Google continues to buy its way out of privacy problems
by John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog
Google’s $17 million settlement with states attorneys general demonstrates the Internet giant’s business strategy of doing whatever it wants and then buying its way out of trouble when caught breaking the rules. Read More ›
How to prevent holiday identity theft
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
ID theft is a year-round problem, but the hectic holiday season is prime time for this crime. There are a few simple things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Read More ›