FDA’s proposed rules to improve safety of imported foods
by Chris Morran, The Consumerist
“We must work toward global solutions to food safety so that whether you serve your family food grown locally or imported you can be confident that it is safe,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. Read More ›
California political watchdog rebuffs request by Carlos Slim’s firm
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
California’s political watchdog agency is not pursuing an enforcement action against an immigrants rights group that was requested by a company owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. Co-founder of the group said he was pleased that “the FPPC did not allow itself to be used by TracFone and Carlos Slim to do their dirty work.” Read More ›
Ballot measure filed to raise California’s medical damages cap
by Jeremy B. White, Sacramento Bee
A coalition has been lobbying this year to change a $250,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. They argue the current limit, put in place in 1975, is outdated and insufficient to cover the prolonged affects of doctor negligence or botched medical procedure. Read More ›
How to go completely invisible on Facebook
by Steven Tweedie, Business Insider
When you’re finished, no one but you will be able to see your Facebook activity, view your photos, or see where you’ve checked in. Your current friends will still be able to view your basic profile — there’s no way around this — but all your activity will be blank. Read More ›
Auditor gives high marks to PUC consumer support program disliked by utilities and corporations
by Ken Broder, AllGov.com
When consumers square off with big corporations and utilities before California’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC), it helps to have help. And they get some from the state, which funds the Intervenor Compensation Program to pay certain individuals and groups to participate in proceedings. Big corporations and utilities … Read More ›
Snuffing fire fee might not mean refunds
by Michael Gardner, San Diego Union Tribune
Nearly 800,000 rural homeowners may not receive refunds if the state’s disputed $150 annual fire prevention fee is eventually declared illegal. That’s because those homeowners failed to immediately file an important form along with sending their checks to the state last year. Read More ›
California seeks documents from Bridgepoint Education in false advertising probe
by Robert Jablon, Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle
California asked a court to order Bridgepoint Education to turn over hundreds of thousands of records as the state investigates complaints of false advertising at for-profit colleges. Read More ›
California’s “Made in USA” label stays strong
Businesses providing 100% American-made products rely on accurate labeling when they undertake campaigns to encourage consumers to buy their products. Without such standards, companies could mislead consumers without fear of liability. AB 890 was rejected by the Senate and SB 661 was held by the author, but the battle isn’t over yet. Read More ›
Progress on toxic flame retardant protections
For nearly four decades, an outdated California furniture flammability standard has led to the widespread use of toxic flame retardant chemicals, without the promised benefits of reducing fire deaths. Read More ›
Apple: Enemy of consumer privacy
CFC sponsored a bill to restore privacy protections, permitting online businesses to collect only a customer’s zip code and other limited information necessary to combat fraud or identity theft. Apple is leading the opposition. Read More ›
Mobile health and fitness apps: What are the privacy risks?
by Editor, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Consumers should not assume any of their data is private in the mobile app environment—even health data that they consider sensitive. Users must weigh the benefits of the service with the realistic possibility that they are revealing information about their health not only to the app developer or publisher but also to third parties. Read More ›
Google starts placing ads directly in Gmail inboxes
by Stephen Shankland, CNET
Trying a new method of making money off its free e-mail service, the Internet giant has begun putting ads in Gmail’s “promotions” category. Google has begun showing advertisements in the space reserved for e-mail messages in Gmail users’ inboxes, a new step in the company’s effort to turn its free services into revenue sources. Read More ›
State Auditor vindicates CPUC Intervenor Compensation Program
The California State Auditor released a favorable report – surely to the dismay of AT&T, Verizon and PG&E – that reviewed intervenor compensation awarded to advocacy groups participating. The program provides consumers an effective voice before state regulators when utilities seek unwarranted rate hikes or rules that harm ratepayers. Read More ›