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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Midnight in the state Capitol

Midnight in the state Capitol

<h3>2003 legislative session ends with bills being voted on into the wee hours.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Of the 2,867 new laws that legislators proposed back in January, about 100 remain to be dealt with by midnight, the official end of the 2003 legislative session. The procrastination-induced fury that will transpire this day is a once-a-year ritual</p>
House OKs Bill to Help Protect Identity

House OKs Bill to Help Protect Identity

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In the end, said Jamie Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, "this fight will be decided in the Senate and by whether President Bush is forced to live up to his campaign promises on privacy rights."</p>
Bustamante’s many friendships are a blessing and a curse

Bustamante’s many friendships are a blessing and a curse

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Cruz is a player," said activist Jaime Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "There are lawmakers who can take special interest money and then tell them to go to hell. Cruz didn't do that."</p>
Maintaining Uniform Standards In Credit Reporting System

Maintaining Uniform Standards In Credit Reporting System

<p class="source">Tampa Tribune (Florida)</p> <p>FTCR revealed it had purchased the Social Security numbers of CIA Director George Tenet and Attorney General John Ashcroft over the Internet for as little as $26. The point, of course, is that it is all too easy to receive what should be private informati</p>
Identity theft widespread, study shows;

Identity theft widespread, study shows;

<h3>State law could hinder efforts to fight it</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Advocates of the state's new financial privacy law, which was enacted last month after a four-year battle, said the FTC and the Bush admin. were ignoring an obvious solution to the problem of identity theft because of the powerful banking lobby</p>
To root out identity theft, set restrictions in workplace

To root out identity theft, set restrictions in workplace

<p class="source">The Detroit Free Press</p> <p>The California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said it paid an online site $26 to get the Social Security numbers and home addresses of several top Bush administration officials. The group's stunt showed the need for stronger protection</p>
Would-be investor runs afoul of Patriot Act

Would-be investor runs afoul of Patriot Act

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Consumer advocates also fear the Patriot Act will give companies another reason to invade privacy and prevent some people without criminal intent from opening accounts. "This ranges between stupid, insidious and dangerous," says Doug Heller with FTCR.</p>
New state privacy law threatened;

New state privacy law threatened;

<h3>Federal law could block bills protecting financial information</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Ideally, there should be a strong national law. Consumers should have the right to say no to affiliate sharing." said Jamie Court of Santa Monica's Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights, while in Washington.</p>
Group: Washington to Limit Financial Privacy Rights

Group: Washington to Limit Financial Privacy Rights

<p class="source">FOXNews.com</p> <p>Jamie Court complained that President Bush has failed to fulfill campaign promises to protect consumers' privacy. Before the 2000 election, Bush called privacy a "fundamental right" and said Americans should have "absolute control" over personal info</p>