What Information Does Your Service Provider Collect and Store?
Service providers (like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile) collect data, but are not forthcoming in detailing exactly what data they collect, the reasons they collect it, and their data retention policies. At the very least, smartphone service providers collect the following: Incoming and outgoing calls: the … Read More ›
Your Medical Privacy Rights
What are your medical privacy rights? What are key medical privacy laws and what is recent California legislation regarding medical privacy? How would you submit a medical privacy complaint? Read More ›
Mixed results on privacy legislation in 2013
CFC keeps fighting for consumer privacy and data protection – and we appreciate our supporters who continue to assist us in our efforts. Read More ›
Consumer Federation of California’s 2013 Legislative Summary
The 2013 legislative session concluded on September 13 and Governor Brown had about 900 bills to sign or veto. Numerous consumer bills advanced and Consumer Federation of California had important successes. Read More ›
SB 448 proposes office to investigate fuel price volatility, gas price fixing (vetoed)
CFC supports SB 448, which is aimed at protecting California consumers who have, for too long, been at the mercy of a few major oil companies that control nearly all of the transportation fuel market. Read More ›
Toxic flame retardants under fire in California
by Deborah Sullivan Brennan, San Diego Union Tribune
“This starts with making sure we are protecting people against risks of fire,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. “There’s increasing evidence that this can be accomplished through different methods that do not require use of these flame retardants.” Read More ›
Scammers target utility customers with threats of power shut-off
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
Fraudsters have developed a clever and all-too-successful ruse to steal money from homeowners and small businesses across the country. All it takes is a phone call and a bunch of convincing lies. Read More ›
Google to sell user profiles, photos in ads
by Brian Fitzgerald, Wall Street Journal
Google updated its terms of service to say that beginning November 11, it has the right to sell adult users’ profile names, photos and comments in reviews and advertising. Read More ›
California lawsuit claims for-profit colleges misled students, investors
by Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee
A for-profit college chain intentionally deceived prospective students and investors about the value of its degrees and sought out socially isolated and disadvantaged students, according to a lawsuit California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed. Read More ›
Governor Brown vetoes two telecom bills
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
One would have created a new system for collecting fees on prepaid cellphone minutes; the other would have curbed the PUC’s LifeLine powers. Read More ›
AB 1409 would make harmful changes to Lifeline telephone program (vetoed)
Steps to modernize the program by allowing wireless customers to participate are already underway by the CPUC. The changes made by AB 1409 would only generate confusion and potentially create delays in the program. CFC opposes this bill. Read More ›
Telecom industry’s AB 300, surcharge on pre-paid cell phones (vetoed)
CFC opposes AB 300, which would impose a surcharge on pre-paid cell phones. This overly complicated and unnecessary surcharge collection structure will mandate a shift of the burden of surcharge payment onto the bills of the California consumer. Read More ›
Monitoring your every move
by Editorial Board, New York Times
New technology allows advertisers access to mobile phones without the “cookies” they need to access personal computers. This makes it harder than ever for users to escape the gaze of private companies. Read More ›