Andrew Yang Takes Lead Role In California Data Privacy Campaign
By Katy Murphy, POLITICO
August 31, 2020
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/08/31/andrew-yang…
SACRAMENTO — Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is throwing his weight behind California’s November data privacy ballot measure — not just endorsing the initiative but chairing its advisory board, the Proposition 24 campaign announced Monday.
Andrew Yang Backs New California Privacy Proposal
By Wendy Davis, DIGITAL NEWS DAILY - MEDIAPOST
August 31, 2020
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/355306/andrew-yang-backs…
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is backing a California ballot initiative aimed at strengthening California's already broad privacy law.
Can Californians Trust Anything Steve Maviglio Says?
By Patrick Range McDonald, CITY WATCH LA
August 27, 2020
https://citywatchla.com/index.php/cw/los-angeles/20318-can-californians…
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT-On the evening of June 1, in Washington D.C., Rahul Dubey could see trouble brewing outside his home.
OC Family On The Hook For $4,400 Bill Claiming They Used Equivalent Of 50 Swimming Pools’ Worth Of Water
By KCBS LA Staff, KCBS TV-2 Los Angeles, CA
August 24, 2020
Click here to view the video of this story: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/08/24/garden-grove-orange-county-w…
GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA) – The Do family lives in a modest single-family home in Orange County.
State Insurance Commissioner, Advocacy Group Reverse Opposition To Wildfire Bill Following Amendments
By Jeff McDonald, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
August 21, 2020
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2020-08-21/sta…
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the Los Angeles advocacy group Consumer Watchdog issued separate statements Friday announcing they no longer opposed a wildfire-insurance bill.
How Kamala Harris Forged Close Ties With Big Tech
Silicon Valley has enthusiastically backed Ms. Harris since she first ran for state attorney general in California a decade ago.
By Daisuke Wakabayashi, Stephanie Saul and Kenneth P. Vogel, THE NEW YORK TIMES
August 20, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/technology/kamala-harris-ties-to-big…
Consumer Group Fears California’s Recycling Network Is In Danger Of Collapse
By Kevin Smith, SAN BERNARDINO SUN
August 18, 2020
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/08/18/consumer-group-fears-californias-recyc…
California’s already hobbled recycling network will likely collapse unless supermarkets and other beverage retailers are forced to redeem empty bottles and cans, a consumer group says.
KNX 1070 AM LA: Consumer Watchdog Urges Newsom To Restart Bottle & Can Deposit Program
By KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA
August 18, 2020
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains why Governor Newsom must restart California's bottle and can deposit recycling program.
CONSUMER WATCHDOG PENS LETTER TO NEWSOM
By Andrew Sheeler, SACRAMENTO BEE - CAPITOL ALERT
August 18, 2020
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article24…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom should not give retailers any further exemptions from their duty to refund bottle and can deposits, argues the nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog.
Lawsuit: Zoom Lied About Security Measures, End-to-End Encryption
By Ryan J. Farrick, LEGAL READER
August 14, 2020
https://www.legalreader.com/lawsuit-zoom-lied-security-measures-end-to-…
The lawsuit claims that Zoom never had end-to-end encryption, despite it telling customers that it did.
Zoom is facing another lawsuit alleging that the video communications company has deceived consumers by making false claims about its privacy measures.
Wildfire Prone Property Insurance Bill In California Due For Hearing
By Marc Christopherson, LIVE INSURANCE NEWS
August 14, 2020
https://www.liveinsurancenews.com/wildfire-prone-property-insurance-bil…
The bill is expected to be heard in upcoming weeks as opposing sites prepare for major battle.
Zoom May Have Another Major Security Worry
By Anthony Spadafora, TECH RADAR
August 14, 2020
https://www.techradar.com/news/zoom-sued-over-misleading-security-claims
US advocacy group alleges Zoom's end-to-end encryption claims were false advertising
Zoom Faces More Legal Challenges Over End-to-End Encryption
By Tara Seals, THREATPOST
August 13, 2020
https://threatpost.com/zoom-legal-challenges-end-to-end-encryption/1583…
The video-conferencing specialist has yet to roll out full encryption, but it says it’s working on it.
Video-conferencing behemoth Zoom has been hit with yet another lawsuit stemming from its claim to offer end-to-end encryption for sessions.
Consumer Group Asks California Lawmakers to Slow Insurance Bill Debate
By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE
August 13, 2020
http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?refnum=227382&altsrc=23
SACRAMENTO, Calif. --
A consumer group is asking California lawmakers to put the brakes on passage of a bill it says undercuts the state's landmark legislation guarding against price gouging and discrimination.
CAMPAIGN MODE: Consumer Watchdog Will Endorse Prop. 24
By Jeremy B. White, Carla Marinucci, Graph Massara and Aaron Leathley, POLITICO PLAYBOOK
August 13, 2020
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2020/08/13/evi…
Kamala Harris Is A Friend, Not Foe, Of Big Tech
By Jon Swartz, MARKETWATCH
August 13, 2020
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kamala-harris-is-a-friend-not-foe-of-…
An audible collective sigh of relief from Silicon Valley came shortly after Kamala Harris was named running mate of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
On Policy Issues, Aligned With Biden, Left of Center
By Matt Stevens, Thomas Kaplan and Stephanie Saul, THE NEW YORK TIMES
August 12, 2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/us/politics/kamala-harris-issues-pol…
Ms. Harris sometimes struggled to clearly define her stances during her unsuccessful presidential campaign. But in recent months, she has emerged as a leading voice on racial justice and inequality.
California Bill Addressing Property Rates in Wildfire-Prone Areas Awaits Hearing
By Don Jergler, INSURANCE JOURNAL
August 11, 2020
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/08/11/578753.htm
The stage has been set for a major battle over a California bill due to be heard in the next few weeks in a key committee that opponents say is a direct attack on insurance consumer protections and proponents say is the best way to make insurance more available in an increasingly wildfire-prone state.
Zoom Encryption Claims False, Watchdog Alleges In Lawsuit
Zoom falsely claimed to offer 'end-to-end encryption' to consumers, lawsuit says
By Stephanie Pagones, FOX BUSINESS
August 11, 2020
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/zoom-false-privacy-claims-watchd…
Op-Ed Commentary: California State Legislators Use Coronavirus As An Excuse To Hijack Democratic Process
By Harvey Rosenfield, SPECIAL TO THE SACRAMENTO BEE
August 11, 2020
https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article244870462.html
Three democratic procedures safeguard Californians against hasty and dangerous actions by the California State Legislature:
▪ Every bill gets a legislative hearing.
▪ Committee staff provides an impartial analysis of each bill.
▪ Members of the public are heard.
Zoom Sued for Misleading Consumers on Data Security Practices
By Andrea Vittorio, BLOOMBERG LAW
August 11, 2020
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/zoom-sued-for-m…
Zoom Video Communications Inc. allegedly misrepresented the level of security used to protect communications on its platform, giving users “a false sense of security” and violating D.C.'s consumer protection law, according to a new lawsuit filed there.
Zoom Sued By Consumer Group For Misrepresenting Its Encryption Protections
By Joseph Marks with Tonya Riley, WASHINGTON POST
August 11, 2020
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/11/cybersecurity-202-zo…
A consumer advocacy group is suing Zoom and seeking millions of dollars in damages, accusing the company of misleading its users about the strength of its encryption protections.
KCBS FM SF: Newsom Advisory Committee Needs Oversight
KCBS FM San Francisco, CA
August 10, 2020
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains why Governor Newsom's advisory committee on economic recovery needs oversight.
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
KNX 1070 AM LA: Newsom's Advisory Economic Task Force Has No Accountability
KNX 1070 AM LA
August 10, 2020
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment, where Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court discusses how Governor Newsom's advisory economic task force meets in private with no public oversight or accountability.
The All-Star Economic Task Force Advising Newsom During The Pandemic Remains A Mystery
By Phil Willon, LOS ANGELES TIMES
August 10, 2020
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-10/newsom-coronavirus-…
SACRAMENTO — Faced with a pandemic that has put millions of Californians out of work and eviscerated businesses large and small, Gov. Gavin Newsom promised that “health and science” would guide state officials in repairing the economy and steering it toward recovery.
Homeowners’ Insurance In Wildfire Areas: Industry, Consumer Groups Battle Over Rate Boost
By Kathleen Pender, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
August 8, 2020
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/networth/article/Homeowners-insura…
Nearing the end of their legislative session and the beginning of wildfire season, state lawmakers are pushing through an industry-backed homeowners' insurance bill despite fierce opposition from consumer groups and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
Deaths Of Mothers, Infants During Childbirth Prompt Calls To Revoke Bakersfield Doctor’s License
By Kerry Klein, KVPR - CENTRAL VALLEY PUBLIC RADIO
August 5, 2020
https://www.kvpr.org/post/deaths-mothers-infants-during-childbirth-prom…
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
COVID-19 Pandemic Spells Uncertain Times For Travel Insurers And Consumers
By Mathieu Pollet, EURONEWS
August 4, 2020
https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/04/covid-19-pandemic-spells-uncertain-…
People planning to travel abroad to a destination on their country's "green list" still face the risk of not being covered by their insurance.
Op-Ed: Legislators Scheming With Insurance Companies To Raise Rates
With Californians in COVID lockdown, industry lobbyists are working to overturn voter-approved consumer protections
Op-Ed Commentary by Harvey Rosenfield
August 2, 2020
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/02/opinion-legislators-scheming-wit…
State lawmakers are preparing a gift for you: a massive increase in the premiums you pay to insure your home and property.
What’s In A Name? Everything, Unhappy California Initiative Backers Say As They Sue State
By John Wildermuth, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
August 2, 2020
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/What-s-in-a-name-Everythin…
Campaigns in four of the 12 initiative measures in California’s November election have sued state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, charging that his office wasn’t fair and neutral when it prepared the titles and summaries that will appear on the ballot.
Consumer Advocate Blocks Auto Insurance Rate Hike
By Lyle Adriano, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA
July 31, 2020
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/consumer-adv…
Consumer Watchdog has managed to block a plan to hike the rates of drivers under California’s low-income auto insurance program.
Time For An Insurance Review
You may need to update your policies in light of COVID-19
By Daniel Bortz, KIPLINGER'S MAGAZINE
July 30, 2020
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/insurance/601097/time-for-an…
Medical Negligence Compensation Cap Measure Qualifies for 2022 Ballot
Initiative would raise cap on selected cases, extend deadline for medical negligence cases
By Evan Symon, CALIFORNIA GLOBE
July 28, 2020
https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/medical-negligence-compensation-c…
California Measure Raising Malpractice Awards Will Be On Ballot — In 2022
By John Wildermuth, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 24, 2020
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/California-measure-raising…
With 12 ballot measures already scheduled for a vote in California in November, the first initiative has qualified for the 2022 election, with two others well on the way.
First 2022 State Ballot Measure Qualifies In California
By Ryan Byrne, BALLOTPEDIA NEWS
July 24, 2020
https://news.ballotpedia.org/2020/07/24/first-2022-state-ballot-measure…
The first state ballot measure for 2022 qualified for the ballot in California on July 21, 2020.
California Ballot Initiative to Lift Cap on Negligence Payments Certified
By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE
July 24, 2020
http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=227001
A ballot initiative to lift the 45-year-old cap on quality-of-life and survivor benefits will go before California voters in 2022.
California’s Medical Malpractice Cap Vote Moved to 2022 Ballot
By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL
July 22, 2020
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/07/22/576522.htm
Californians will have to wait until the pandemic ends to vote on an initiative to change the state’s medical malpractice cap.
Proponents of a measure to change California’s medical malpractice cap announced today they have reportedly collected 900,000 signatures, enough to qualify the initiative for the November 2022 ballot.
Berry Corp. Hires Former Top State Oil Regulator
By John Cox, THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
July 22, 2020
https://www.bakersfield.com/news/berry-corp-hires-former-top-state-oil-…
The head of one of Kern's biggest oil producers says he knew it might raise eyebrows to hire a man who used to be California's top oil regulator.
Proposal To Raise Malpractice Caps Qualifies For 2022 Ballot
By Adam Beam, ASSOCIATED PRESS
July 22, 2020
https://apnews.com/01ba9661168ba6f07ada1d6390cb7d6c
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California patients could get more money from medical malpractice lawsuits under a ballot initiative that is now eligible for the 2022 November election.
2022 WATCH - CA Ballot Iniative Update
By Victoria Collver, POLITICO PRO
July 22, 2020
2022 WATCH: An initiative to raise the 45-year-old cap on medical malpractice compensation for injured patients has qualified for the ballot — but voters will have to wait until the November 2022 ballot to vote on it, POLITICO’s Victoria Colliver reports.
KGO AM SF, CA: Debate On Homeowners' Insurance Bill AB 2167
By Michael Finney, KGO AM SF, CA
July 18, 2020
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Host Michael Finney mediates a debate between Consumer Watchdog's Harvey Rosenfield and Rex Frazier of the Personal Insurance Federation of California about the details of bill AB 2167 to change the homeowners' insurance market in the state of California.
CRC Bankruptcy Will Test California's Revamped Fossil Fuel Regulator
By Colby Bermel, POLITICO PRO
July 17, 2020
SACRAMENTO — The bankruptcy declaration of California's largest oil and natural gas producer will pose the first major test for the state's fossil fuel regulator since Gov. Gavin Newsom shook up the agency after indications it was too soft on industry.
Court Bans Health Insurance Bias On Disabled People
By Bob Egelko, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 15, 2020
https://www.sfchronicle.com/nation/article/In-suit-involving-Kaiser-jud…
Insurance companies cannot discriminate against disabled people by broadly denying coverage for the types of treatment they need, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
