Latest Consumer affairs News
Vermont Legislature overrides governor, passing overdose prevention, renewable energy, tax measures
The Democratic-controlled Vermont Legislature on Monday overturned a number of the Republican governor's vetoes, passing measures to prevent drug overdoses, restrict a pesticide that's toxic to bees and to require state utilities to source all renewable energy by 2035. But the...
Vermont governor vetoes data privacy bill, saying state would be most hostile to businesses
Vermont’s governor has vetoed a broad data privacy bill that would have been one of the strongest in the country to crack down on companies’ use of online personal data by letting consumers file civil lawsuits against companies that break certain privacy rules. Republican Gov....
What the new 'buy now, pay later' rule means for small businesses offering the service
NEW YORK (AP) — “Buy now, pay later” services are a popular way that shoppers pay for goods. The payment plan is usually marketed as zero-interest, or low interest, and allows consumers to spread out payments for purchases over several weeks or months. Because...
More people make 'no-buy year' pledges as overspending or climate worries catch up with them
NEW YORK (AP) — A 35-year-old Brooklyn resident gave up buying new clothes. A 22-year old in San Diego swore off retail therapy at Target. A 26-year old in England banned carbonated drinks from her shopping list. These three women, who don’t know each other, all started the year...
Buy now, pay later companies must adhere to credit card standards, consumer agency says
NEW YORK (AP) — Buy now, pay later companies must provide consumers with the same legal rights and protections as credit card lenders do, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday in a new rule. That includes the right to demand a refund and to dispute transactions....
Vermont Legislature passes one of the strongest data privacy measures in the country
The Democrat-controlled Vermont legislature has passed one of the strongest data privacy measures in the country aimed at cracking down on companies' use of online personal data, which would let consumers file civil lawsuits against companies that break certain privacy rules. ...
Consumer groups push Congress to uphold automatic refunds for airline passengers
Consumer groups are pushing Congress to uphold automatic refunds for airline passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed for several hours. Just last week, the Transportation Department announced a rule requiring airlines to pay quick and automatic refunds. President Joe Biden...
Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who...
California reject bill to crackdown on how utilities spend customers' money
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Monday rejected a proposal aimed at cracking down on how some of the nation's largest utilities spend customers' money. California's investor-owned utilities can't use money from customers to pay for things like advertising their...
Massachusetts official warns AI systems subject to consumer protection, anti-bias laws
BOSTON (AP) — Developers, suppliers, and users of artificial intelligence must comply with existing state consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data privacy laws, the Massachusetts attorney general cautioned Tuesday. In an advisory, Attorney General Andrea Campbell pointed...
