Consumer Protection
Subscription traps targeted as part of crackdown on junk fees
It should be as easy to cancel a subscription as it was to make it, consumer advocates have been saying for years. Regulators are starting to listen.
Consumer Protection
It's a little hard to define but for our purposes, this section is all about consumer protection -- regulatory actions, laws, class actions and anything that helps take the edge off.
Consumer Protection
New York City adopts first-in-the-nation crackdown on ‘subscription traps’ as junk-fee fight expands
Consumers could soon find it much easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions, while hidden mandatory fees may also come under new scrutiny.
Cars
Counterfeit airbags have killed 10 U.S. drivers, WSJ finds
Used cars that have been in accidents should be checked for bogus airbags
Consumer Protection
Congress moves toward national rules for paycheck-advance apps
Consumer advocates warn the bill could weaken state protections and let costly wage-advance products avoid lending laws
AI/Privacy
Is the Associated Press for sale?
The 250th anniversary hoopla celebrated freedom of the press, among other things, but a bedrock of journalism is on the watch list.
Health
GLP-1 Lawsuit & News Tracker: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity
The GLP-1 family of drugs might be the biggest thing since AI. There have been unexpected benefits and about as many unexpected problems.
Consumer Protection
FTC: Hopper to pay $35 million over alleged hidden travel fees and deceptive pricing
Regulators allege Hopper promised "no hidden fees" while automatically adding optional charges for tips and VIP customer support unless consumers found and deselected them.
Health
DOJ drops criminal baby-formula probe; Abbott avoids charges
Senior feds terminate criminal investigation of Abbott Labs baby-formula contamination.
Money
California drivers sue gas station chains, claiming AI helped inflate pump prices
A new class-action lawsuit says fuel-pricing software turned old-fashioned price fixing into an automated system
Consumer Protection
CFPB overhauls complaint system, raising fears of new hurdles for consumers
The CFPB says it is cleaning up an overloaded complaint portal but consumer advocates are skeptical.
Consumer Protection
Outraged consumers: They're fed up with broken customer service — and companies may be running out of excuses
Americans say they are spending more time, money and emotional energy trying to solve routine problems with airlines, banks, retailers, telecoms, health insurers and delivery companies.
Consumer Protection
New Jersey puts businesses on notice: hidden ‘junk fees’ may violate consumer fraud law
The state’s new enforcement statement takes aim at surprise charges, vague add-ons, dark patterns and fees that provide little or no value.