Consumer Watchdog

Expose. Confront. Change.

Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Bono Speaks Out

Bono Speaks Out

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">U2's Bono was pacing the stage of L.A.'s Staples Center last night between songs and made a spontaneous statement about Arnold, reports consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield, who was in...</font>
Canada, Mexico soon will seem farther away

Canada, Mexico soon will seem farther away

<p class="source">USA TODAY</p> <p>"It seems to me that this is something that's meant to deter travelers from going to Canada to buy prescription drugs every 90 days," says Jamie Court, president of FTCR, a consumer watchdog group which has organized "Rx Express" trips to take senior</p>
Unfair Competition

Unfair Competition

<h3>Big Business Succeeds in Gutting California's Landmark Consumer Protection Law</h3> <p class="source"> Multinational Monitor Vol.26 March/April </p> <p> California's Unfair Competition Law was the strongest consumer protection law of its kind in the United States when Proposition 64 drastically scaled it back this past November. </p>
Infighting chokes work flow in Capitol;

Infighting chokes work flow in Capitol;

<h3>Budget process, talk of special elections stifle other agendas</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Doing so this year will mean lobbying fellow members and vying for attention in an extraordinary climate, making it harder to gain traction on several issues, said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
MORE STATES CUTTING DEALS FOR A SLICE OF HOLLYWOOD

MORE STATES CUTTING DEALS FOR A SLICE OF HOLLYWOOD

<p class="source">The Boston Globe</p> <p>"Giving tax breaks to the film industry, to (Arnold's) pals in the entertainment industry, just doesn't measure up," said Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, which has helped organize rallies against the governor</p>
Campaign industry hits the jackpot;

Campaign industry hits the jackpot;

<h3>Is the blizzard of initiatives drowning out public's voice?</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Jamie Court, President of FTCR, a consumer advocate foundation in Santa Monica, is not surprised. "People who advised Schwarzenegger to call a special election are the same people who will walk away with millions in fees. It's not exactly unbiased advice.</p>
Lawyers, drug companies huddle;

Lawyers, drug companies huddle;

<h3>Talks aim at a truce over initiative campaigns that would hurt pocketbooks of both interest groups.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Despite the talks, a union-backed prescription drug plan that would use state bargaining power to force discounts for low-income residents is making the initiative rounds, with help from paid signature gatherers.</p>
Campaign Finance Reform Hypocrisy

Campaign Finance Reform Hypocrisy

<p class="source">KPPC 89.3FM (Public Radio - Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>Schwarzenegger clearly believes money is power, and that the cash to market himself and his spin will determine what voters remember, not the positions he takes. For campaign finance reformers, however, this Arnold will be remembered just like another fam</p>
Campaign Finance Reform Hypocrisy

Campaign Finance Reform Hypocrisy

<!-- excerpt --><p>Schwarzenegger clearly believes money is power, and that the cash to market himself and his spin will determine what voters remember, not the positions he takes. For campaign finance reformers, however, this Arnold will be remembered just like another fam</p>
Battle over cheaper drugs may hit ballot

Battle over cheaper drugs may hit ballot

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>A battle between consumer groups and the pharmaceutical industry over cheaper prescription drugs is threatening to escape the confines of the Legislature and escalate into a full-scale ballot war in the fall.</p>