AI/Privacy
Meta settles child-safety suit with 48 states for $18 billion
Meta is bringing TikTok and YouTube along for the ride, in an unusual proposal.
James R. Hood
James R. Hood, an editor and consumer-affairs journalist with more than five decades of experience, has held senior editorial leadership roles at The Associated Press, United Press International, Zapnews and ConsumerAffairs.
Consumer Protection
Corporations shudder as jury verdicts fly past $10 million
Jurors, many of them Millennials, are handing out more $10 million "nuclear" verdicts than ever.
Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to stop competing. Now regulators are making Redfin come back
There appears to be a lot of competition in the apartment marketplace. But look closely and what do you see?
AI/Privacy
Teen drops social media addiction lawsuit, but legal pressure on Meta keeps growing
A 15-year-old New Jersey girl has withdrawn a closely watched lawsuit accusing Meta, Google and Snap of contributing to social media addiction, depression and self-harm.
Insurance
Tornado Alley is moving east — and homeowners may pay the price
It's not in Kansas anymore.
Consumer Protection
FTC puts retailers on notice over personalized pricing
Companies are warned not to use data their have gathered about individual consumers unlawfully.
Recalls
National Safety Recall - Aug. 19
There is one significant new national consumer recall since the last check: a nationwide recall of Outshine frozen fruit bars after consumers reported finding glass in the product.
Insurance
Costco is getting into Medicare — but don't buy health insurance the way you buy paper towels
Other companies are running away but Costco thinks it can make Medicare programs work for its members.
Consumer Protection
What changing federal regulations may mean for your escrow account
The dispute could determine whether states retain meaningful power to impose consumer protections on federally chartered banks.
Consumer Protection
Ten states sue Trump banking regulator over mortgage escrow interest - billions at stake
Ten states are challenging new federal rules that let national banks ignore state laws requiring interest on consumers’ mortgage escrow money.
AI/Privacy
Meta goes on trial to face charges it purposely made Instagram and Facebook hard to turn away from
Meta faces a potential penalty of $1.4 trillion in case brought by four states. Attorneys say it could equal or exceed the tobacco settlements of the 1990s.
FTC probes company behind MyChart, which tracks millions of health records
* The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Epic Systems, the giant health-records company behind MyChart and software used by providers treating more than 280 million Americans. * Investigators are reportedly examining whether Epic improperly restricts competitors’ access to patient data — potentially limiting competition in a market at the center of modern