News

2021

January

22

• When free speech clashes with keeping your job. For some readers, employer restrictions on political activity present a personal dilemma.

21

• New debt collection rule is a mixed bag for consumer rights. Bad news: New debt collection rule permits unlimited electronic access to consumers. Good news: It may eliminate "debt parking" by forcing debt collectors to reach consumers before posting debts on their credit reports.

• Black Americans suffered the most under Trump-era CFPB, study finds. The paper, from two Boston College researchers, tracked consumer complaints, and the follow-ups recorded by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Their findings show that in January 2017 — even before President Trump  made any changes

• Consumer bureau director resigns at Biden's request. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger resigned at the request of the newly sworn-in President Biden, clearing the way for his nominee to lead the powerful regulatory agency. Kraninger’s resignation gives

• Debt collection (Winter 2020-2021). In this issue, Consumer Action helps consumers learn how to exercise their debt collection rights: to demand information about a debt, stop a debt collector from contacting them, and avoiding resurrecting debts that are too old to be sued over. The issue also discusses other key aspects of the laws and regulations designed to protect people being targeted by debt collectors and includes sample validation request and communications preferences letters you can customize and send to debt collectors.

20

• How to make data privacy real. We need control over how our data is used. Thanks to California, there’s a promising new path.

• FAA approves airport coronavirus screenings. In late December, the Federal Aviation Administration gave its approval for one airport in Iowa to use coronavirus relief money to check passengers for coronavirus symptoms. The decision opens the door for the nation&rsquo

• ‘A veces actúan demasiado tarde’: cuestionan a Facebook y Twitter por su inacción ante los abusos. Los grupos y activistas de derechos humanos llevan años instando a las empresas a hacer más para eliminar el contenido que fomenta la violencia en diversas partes del mundo.

19

• WhatsApp postpones privacy policy change amid confusion, backlash. In response to all the concerns and confusion, the company canceled the February 8 deadline for users to accept these rules, thus delaying it until May 15. “At this time, we postpone the date that users

18

• Biden choices for CFPB, SEC pivot to robust enforcement. President-elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Rohit Chopra, the former student loan ombudsman for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to lead the consumer finance agency. Biden will tap Gary Gensler, the former chairman of

15

• US will require all arriving passengers to get COVID-19 test. Beginning Jan. 26, international travelers bound for the United States must show negative coronavirus test results before boarding their flights. Here’s what you need to know.

• Ring offers end-to-end encryption for some cameras, doorbells. Ring started offering end-to-end encryption for hardwired and plug-in Ring security cameras and video doorbells, so only your smartphone or tablet can view the recorded footage. That means hackers won't be able to spy

14

• Amazon faces legal challenge over Prime cancellation policy. Amazon is being challenged by consumer watchdogs in Europe and the US over its use of manipulative "dark pattern" design to promote its Prime service. The Norwegian Consumer Council (NCC) found that cancelling

• Millions flock to Telegram and Signal apps. Over the past week, tens of millions of people have downloaded Signal and Telegram, making them the two hottest apps in the world. Signal allows messages to be sent with “end-to-end encryption,” meaning

13

• International flyers coming to U.S. will need COVID test. Before boarding their flights, all international passengers headed to the United States will first need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test, according to a new federal policy going into effect on Jan. 26.

• ¿Cambios en WhatsApp? Esto es lo que en realidad pasa con tus datos. En los últimos días hubo una reacción en contra de WhatsAppdespués de que la compañía publicó lo que parecen ser polí

• Las descargas de Signal se disparan un 4,200% después que WhatsApp anunció que compartirá datos personales con Facebook. Las aplicaciones Signal y Telegram, rivales de WhatsApp, recibieron un gran impulso después de que la aplicación de mensajería anunciara el miércoles que compartiría algunos

12

• Citing 'censorship,' internet provider blocks Facebook, Twitter. A North Idaho internet provider, Your T1 WIFI, confirmed it is blocking Facebook and Twitter from its WIFI service for some customers due to censorship claims.

11

• How Parler became a test of free speech. The app, a favorite of conservatives and Trump fans, has renewed a debate about who holds power over online speech after the tech giants yanked their support for it and left it fighting for survival.

• The "sperm kings" have a problem: too much demand. Sperm banks have seen a record-breaking increase in demand over the past several months. While more people want sperm, fewer are donating it during the pandemic, and this supply shortage has left many prospective parents