Google reacts angrily to report it will have to sell Chrome
(bbc.com)
Google has said it would harm consumers and businesses if it is forced to sell Chrome, the world's most popular web browser.
Google has said it would harm consumers and businesses if it is forced to sell Chrome, the world's most popular web browser.
China-based Vevor is manipulating Amazon reviews and tricking buyers
(nypost.com)
A China-based company that sells $500 million a year in tools and appliances on Amazon has been accused of manipulating its customer product reviews — and competitors gripe that Amazon has been turning a blind eye, The Post has learned.
A China-based company that sells $500 million a year in tools and appliances on Amazon has been accused of manipulating its customer product reviews — and competitors gripe that Amazon has been turning a blind eye, The Post has learned.
NeedTags site leads California drivers to believe it's DMV, adds surprise fees
(abc7.com)
Consumers trying to renew their car registrations say they were tricked to use third-party website that added "junk fees" on top of DMV fees.
Consumers trying to renew their car registrations say they were tricked to use third-party website that added "junk fees" on top of DMV fees.
Apple Gets EU Warning to Stop Geo-Blocking on App, iTunes Stores
(yahoo.com)
Apple Inc. was notified by the European Union that its geo-blocking practices are potentially in breach of consumer protection rules, adding to the iPhone maker’s regulatory issues in the bloc.
Apple Inc. was notified by the European Union that its geo-blocking practices are potentially in breach of consumer protection rules, adding to the iPhone maker’s regulatory issues in the bloc.
Google has no duty to refund gift card scam victims, judge finds
(arstechnica.com)
There's nothing unfair about Google collecting fees to profit off Google Play gift card scams while refusing to refund victims who collectively lost millions, federal Judge Beth Freeman ruled Monday.
There's nothing unfair about Google collecting fees to profit off Google Play gift card scams while refusing to refund victims who collectively lost millions, federal Judge Beth Freeman ruled Monday.
A new dental scam is to pull healthy teeth to sell you expensive fake ones
(arstechnica.com)
It turns out you may not have needed those implants after all.
It turns out you may not have needed those implants after all.
CFPB finalizes personal financial data rights rule
(eff.org)
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) has just finalized a rule that makes it easy and safe for you to figure out which bank will give you the best deal and switch to that bank, with just a couple of clicks.
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) has just finalized a rule that makes it easy and safe for you to figure out which bank will give you the best deal and switch to that bank, with just a couple of clicks.
Comcast, Charter Sue FTC over Efforts to Make Canceling Services Easier
(techdirt.com)
Earlier this month the FTC announced it was modifying some existing rules to crack down on companies that make it extremely difficult to cancel services.
Earlier this month the FTC announced it was modifying some existing rules to crack down on companies that make it extremely difficult to cancel services.
'Open banking' rules will put your financial data back where it belongs
(theregister.com)
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule that requires banks, credit card issuers, and most other financial firms to provide consumers with access to their personal financial data - and to help them transfer it, generally at no cost.
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule that requires banks, credit card issuers, and most other financial firms to provide consumers with access to their personal financial data - and to help them transfer it, generally at no cost.
Kroger and Walmart deny 'surge pricing' after adopting digital price tags
(nytimes.com)
Members of Congress are raising the alarm about new technology at supermarkets: They say Kroger and other major grocery stores are implementing digital price tags that could allow for dynamic pricing, meaning the sticker price on items like eggs and milk could change regularly.
Members of Congress are raising the alarm about new technology at supermarkets: They say Kroger and other major grocery stores are implementing digital price tags that could allow for dynamic pricing, meaning the sticker price on items like eggs and milk could change regularly.
Industry groups are suing the FTC to stop its click to cancel rule
(theverge.com)
Three industry groups, the NCTA, the Electronic Security Association (ESA), and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions.
Three industry groups, the NCTA, the Electronic Security Association (ESA), and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions.
Industry groups are suing FTC to stop 'click to cancel'
(theverge.com)
Three industry groups, the NCTA, the Electronic Security Association (ESA), and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions.
Three industry groups, the NCTA, the Electronic Security Association (ESA), and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions.
Cable companies ask 5th Circuit to block FTC's click-to-cancel rule
(arstechnica.com)
Cable companies, advertising firms, and newspapers are asking courts to block a federal "click-to-cancel" rule that would force businesses to make it easier for consumers to cancel services.
Cable companies, advertising firms, and newspapers are asking courts to block a federal "click-to-cancel" rule that would force businesses to make it easier for consumers to cancel services.
Guess who's suing the FTC to stop click to cancel
(theverge.com)
Three industry groups are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions, according to Reuters.
Three industry groups are suing to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its new “Click to Cancel” rule that requires companies to make it easy to cancel subscriptions, according to Reuters.
Users say T-Mobile must pay for killing "lifetime" price lock
(arstechnica.com)
T-Mobile promised users who bought certain mobile plans that it would never raise their prices for as long as they lived—but then raised their prices this year. So it's no surprise that 2,000 T-Mobile customers complained to the government about a price hike on plans that were advertised as having a lifetime price lock.
T-Mobile promised users who bought certain mobile plans that it would never raise their prices for as long as they lived—but then raised their prices this year. So it's no surprise that 2,000 T-Mobile customers complained to the government about a price hike on plans that were advertised as having a lifetime price lock.
FTC's rule banning fake online reviews goes into effect
(abcnews.go.com)
A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect
A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect
FTC now tackles fake reviews
(apnews.com)
A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect.
A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect.
The End of Subscription Creep: New FTC Rule Simplifies Canceling Subscriptions
(cnet.com)
The long-awaited Federal Trade Commission's "click to cancel" rule has been finalized. That means canceling your subscriptions is about to get easier.
The long-awaited Federal Trade Commission's "click to cancel" rule has been finalized. That means canceling your subscriptions is about to get easier.
The FCC is looking into the impact of broadband data caps
(theverge.com)
The Federal Communications Commission is officially looking into broadband data caps and their impact on consumers.
The Federal Communications Commission is officially looking into broadband data caps and their impact on consumers.
Smart TVs are like "a digital Trojan Horse" in people's homes
(arstechnica.com)
The companies behind the streaming industry, including smart TV and streaming stick manufacturers and streaming service providers, have developed a "surveillance system" that has "long undermined privacy and consumer protection," according to a report from the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) published today and sent to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The companies behind the streaming industry, including smart TV and streaming stick manufacturers and streaming service providers, have developed a "surveillance system" that has "long undermined privacy and consumer protection," according to a report from the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) published today and sent to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
FTC Report Confirms: Commercial Surveillance Is Out of Control
(eff.org)
A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report confirms what EFF has been warning about for years: tech giants are widely harvesting and sharing your personal information to fuel their online behavioral advertising businesses.
A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report confirms what EFF has been warning about for years: tech giants are widely harvesting and sharing your personal information to fuel their online behavioral advertising businesses.
California new law forces digital stores to admit you're just licensing content
(theverge.com)
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to combat “disappearing” purchases of digital games, movies, music, and ebooks.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to combat “disappearing” purchases of digital games, movies, music, and ebooks.