Privacy

Session Wasn’t Complete Waste

September 5, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Given their sorry performance – the budget is now 67 days late – it's tempting to simply ignore any legislation that lawmakers passed this session that is headed toward the governor's desk. But there are bills deserving of the governor's signature. Here are some of the most notable: Health insurance: Assembly Bill 1945<strong> </strong>would make it harder for health insurance companies to rescind coverage for policyholders. This bill, by Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, was a response to reports of insurance companies retroactively canceling coverage after people became ill and began drawing benefits.

Californians overestimate privacy policies protection

September 3, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> There's a real gap between the actual protection provided by online "privacy policies" and what Californians think they are getting. We're lulled into believing we're protected when it's not the case at all. </p>

Can you be incognito on Google’s Chrome?

September 2, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Google launched its <a href="http://www.google.com/chrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new internet browser, Chrome,</a> today taking on Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla's Firefox and Apple's Safari.  Does Google's Chrome allow a user to keep personal data private or does the browser enhance the company's ability to gather and store users' personal data?

Genentech doesn’t want to know

August 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

Suppose you made two drugs that did the same thing, but one sold for $60 a month and the other for $2,000.  Wouldn't you want to know if they were equally effective?<br /> <br /> Not if you're Genentech.

Buffoonery and $130 Million – What do they have in common?

August 28, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> The Sacramento Bee's Capitol columnist Dan Walters writes about Gov. Schwarzenegger <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/walters/story/1188546.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">today</a>: "He's rapidly approaching buffoonery." </p>

Some Cities Limit Campaign Contributions

August 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<strong>Strict Standards: Lake Elsinore Heeds State Laws, But Tougher Rules Exist That Ban Developer Donations.</strong><br/> <p> While Lake Elsinore officials have been content with the state law that governs campaign contributions,...</p>

Calif. Commissioner Creates ‘Pay-As-You-Drive’ Regulations

August 27, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> Representatives of Consumer Watchdog, which criticized Huffman's bill, spoke positively of the Poizner regulations. "Regulations that implement Proposition 103's mandate that insurance rates reflect a driver's mileage will lower auto insurance premiums, particularly when the high cost of gasoline is encouraging people to drive less," said Harvey Rosenfield, the author of Proposition 103 and founder of Consumer Watchdog. </p>

Stem cell agency pledges to keep secrets

August 26, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

I recently <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=22130" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained a list of the companies</a> which filed letters of intent with the stem cell agency to apply for New Cell Line grants and Disease Planning Team grants. The agency says it regrets that I got it and published it.

Always ask for the supervisor

August 22, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> I'm getting sick and tired of fighting with corporations for what they owe me. This time, surprise surprise, it was a credit card company. </p> I opened a credit card bill this weekend to find out that the company had moved my due date up and the bill was already three days overdue...

Dash for cash 2008; Public financing to the rescue

August 19, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <strong>"Legislators and lobbyists get ready for the fundraising dance"</strong> <em>Los Angeles Times, August 8, 2008</em> </p> <p> <strong>"While budget waits, California legislators collect campaign...</strong> </p>

DMV: Motivational or just mean?

August 14, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<br /> When someone faxed us this <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/images/WarningLetter.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> they received, apparently from the <a href="http://dmv.ca.gov/">California DMV</a>, we thought it was a joke.  "IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE, YOUR DRIVING WILL CONTINUE TO PRESENT A RISK..."

Calif. Advances ‘Pay-As-You-Drive’ Legislation

August 8, 2008  ·  Consumer Watchdog

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A California bill to allow pay-as-you-drive insurance plans using electronic monitoring devices moved a step closer to approval with passage by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Consumer and privacy-rights groups fear the potential tracking of data including mileage, speed, acceleration, location and time of day.