Privacy

FCC Should Bar ‘Pay For Privacy’ Schemes

June 7, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>As the Federal Communications Commission considers restricting what broadband providers can do with our personal surfing data, the agency is weighing whether it should outright ban a practice that’s come to be known as “pay for privacy.”</p> <p>Certain broadband service providers, most notably AT&T, have begun charging a premium to customers who opt out of having those companies to track their online activities. Privacy and consumer rights advocates are blasting the practice and some are calling for the FCC to outlaw it.</p>

FCC Offers Hope For Consumers Seeking Online Privacy Protections

June 4, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="bodytextragright"><span id="mn_Global"><span id="MNGiSection">I think most of us can agree that the internet poses some unique and wide-scale risks to our privacy.</span></span></p> <p><span id="mn_Global"><span id="MNGiSection">Our every move online can be -- and often is -- tracked. In the past, it might have been hard for companies or the government to know your interests, political leanings, religious affiliation or health problems. But they can glean all that and more by simply watching what you do on the internet.</span></span></p>

Growing Momentum for Self-Driving Cars Worries Safety Advocates

June 2, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>On Valentine’s Day in Silicon Valley, one of Google’s experimental, self-driving cars <a href="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/3946fbb8-e04e-4d52-8f80-b33948df34b2/Google+Auto+LLC+02.14.16.pdf?MOD=AJPERES" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sideswiped a city bus</a> at 2 miles an hour. The incident marked the first time an autonomous car contributed to an accident on a public road, but did nothing to diminish the Obama administration’s enthusiasm for driverless vehicles.</p>

Watchdog Makes Emails From California Utility Officials Public

May 30, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2016/may/30/consumer-group-launches-website-document-alleged-c/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>.</p> <p>Damning documents chronicling the alleged misdeeds of regulators responsible for overseeing California’s utilities can now be found on one website.</p>

Michigan Bills Expand Use Of Driverless Cars Beyond Testing

May 29, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>LANSING, Mich. -- The U.S. auto industry's home state of Michigan is preparing for the advent of self-driving cars by pushing legislation to allow for public sales and operation - a significant expansion beyond an existing state law that sanctions such vehicles for testing only.</p> <p><br /> While widespread use of driverless cars may be years away, lawmakers and transportation leaders say the technology is progressing so rapidly that Michigan must stay ahead of the curve or risk losing automotive research and development to other states.</p>

Slam Shut Revolving Door Between Robot-car Companies and NHTSA Officials

May 26, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Advocacy organization <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/">Consumer Watchdog</a> put forth a request to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind on May 18. The group’s request: slam shut revolving door between robot-car companies and NHTSA officials. Consumer Watchdog wants a written commitment that neither transportation bigwig will take a job for or work as a consultant to any company developing self-driving cars for at least seven years following their departure from their current posts.</p>

Michigan Moves To Lead Driverless Car Testing

May 25, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Sweeping legislation was introduced Wednesday in the state Senate that aims to make Michigan the nation’s leader in autonomous vehicle testing by allowing manufacturers to produce and sell self-driving cars here and clearing the way for their use on state roadways.</p> <p>Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake Township, introduced “broad” legislation that would allow self-driving cars to be operated on any of Michigan’s 122,000 miles of roads in the state and would eliminate the need for a driver to be behind the wheel while it’s operating.</p>

How Should Companies Handle Data From Employees’ Wearable Devices?

May 22, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Wearables at work allow employers to track productivity and health indicators—and pose tricky privacy issues</b></p> <p>Wearable electronics, like the Fitbits and Apple Watches sported by runners and early adopters, are fast becoming on-the-job gear. These devices offer employers new ways to measure productivity and safety, and allow insurers to track workers’ health indicators and habits.</p>

Toxics Regulators Review ‘No Action’ Decisions By Scientists In Email Scandal

May 18, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/05/18/60733/toxics-regulators-review-no-action-decisions-by-sc/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.</a></p> <p class="inaugural">The state Department of Toxic Substances Control is reviewing a number of its decisions to take no further action regarding potential environmental contamination, with a specific focus on cases involving two senior agency scientists who had exchanged dozens of racially-charged emails.</p>

ExxonMobil Postpones Restart Of Torrance Refinery Until After 7 p.m. Monday

May 6, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>The process, expected to emit excess pollutants for about six hours in violation of regulations, is delayed two days</b></p> <div> <p>ExxonMobil announced Friday evening that the long-awaited restart of its Torrance refinery, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday, would be postponed two days for “operational” reasons, authorities said.</p>

After a man contracts MRSA from his son, doctors misdiagnose him after numerous visits. The end result? Amputation of his limbs.

May 4, 2016  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-3022" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/resources_downeyrobert.jpeg" style="width: 150px; height: 150px; float: right;" width="150" height="150" />It started with his boy.  Robert Downey’s 11-year-old had a sore and tested positive for MRSA, a dangerous infection that is treatable if defected in time but can be deadly.  The young man was given intravenous antibiotics and recovered.</p>

Man is diagnosed with influenza, but after his condition worsens and numerous pleas to run a blood test doctors continued to ignore symptoms. Only after a visit to the ER is it revealed he has sepsis, resulting in amputated limbs.

May 1, 2016  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-3014" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/resources_marioguzmanbike.jpeg" style="width: 150px; height: 150px; float: right;" width="150" height="150" />On January 5th, 2013 Mario Guzman went running in the hills near his house with his wife.  In spite of some nasal congestion and weakness for the past few weeks, he ran thinking exercising might make him feel better.  During his run, he twisted his ankle.  But even with this pain, he finished his jog on his way home.</p>