Consumer Protection
Amazon brings back forced arbitration — and makes it harder for customers to sue
Amazon has reinstated binding arbitration for U.S. customers, largely shutting the courthouse door on new consumer disputes.
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.
Recalls
Millions of cars can catch fire while parked — leaving owners with few good options
More than 3 million vehicles are under unusually urgent “park outside” recalls because they can catch fire even when turned off.
Travel Watch: Americans trade down rather than stay home
Travel prices are up but Americans aren't staying home. One reason may be stubborn mortgage rates.
Consumer Protection
CFPB will stop publishing consumers' stories about banks and lenders
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it will stop publicly posting the detailed narratives consumers submit with complaints about banks, lenders, credit bureaus, debt collectors and other financial companies.
Health
Sprinting vs. running: A few hard minutes may trigger surprisingly big changes in the body
But the study does not show that three minutes of sprinting provides the same overall health benefits as 90 minutes of running — and all-out sprinting isn't appropriate for everyone.
Food safety alarms grow as produce outbreaks trigger lawsuits — and new FDA guidance
New FDA regulations, a flood of lawsuits and updated consumer safety information are the latest in the food crisis.
Insurance
Your auto insurance may not protect you as well as you think
Auto insurers failed to pay 45% of the liability and medical claims they resolved last year, up from about 35% a decade ago, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation.
Insurance
7 ways to keep your car insurer from denying your claim
You car insurance may not cover everything you think it does. This can cause big problems if you have an accident.
Consumer Protection
CFPB examiners warned against being 'too aggressive' with the firms they're supposed to regulate
An internal CFPB email obtained by Reuters warned examiners that there could be "most unpleasant" consequences if they were overly aggressive in their dealings with financial institutions.
Consumer Protection
Homeowners got cash with ‘no interest.’ Lawsuit says the real cost was their home equity
A new class-action lawsuit accuses Unison of disguising high-cost mortgage loans as “home equity investments” with no interest or monthly payments.
AI/Privacy
Meta ordered to pay $567 million — and change Facebook and Instagram to protect children
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into programs addressing harms to young people, bringing the company’s liability in the state case to $942 million.
AI/Privacy
Meta’s ‘spy glasses’ are being shown the door over privacy fears
Restaurants, pubs and theaters are beginning to ban Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses