“Americans are incorporating a wide range of digital tools and platforms into their purchasing decisions and buying habits, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults. The survey finds that roughly eight-in-ten Americans are now online shoppers: 79% have made an online purchase of any type, while 51% have bought something using a… Continue Reading
Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002
Category Archives: E-Commerce
Consumer Watchdog, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse File Complaint Over Google’s “Deceptive” Privacy Policy Change
News release: “Consumer Watchdog and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission charging that Google violated the law and an earlier consent agreement when it forced a change in its privacy policy on users in a highly deceptive manner, without meaningful notice and consent. The Internet giant’s action, taken on… Continue Reading
Google Digital Assistant continues to develop new talents
Meet your Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It’s your own personal Google, always ready to help. This video shows you how. Continue Reading
Blockchain Token Securities Law Framework
Coinbase blog: “Today, we’re excited to announce the release of a Blockchain Token Securities Law Framework. We’ve also created a Framework Tool as a guide for developers and users of blockchain tokens. As the development of blockchain tokens (also known as App Coins) continues to enable new decentralized business models, new legal issues come into… Continue Reading
Senate Sends Legislation Protecting Consumer Reviews to President
News release: “The U.S. Senate [November 28, 2016], by unanimous consent, sent bicameral legislation to the White House for the President’s signature that will outlaw the use of “gag clauses” in non-negotiable form contracts. Some businesses have attracted national scrutiny for using gag clauses to punish or silence honest criticism of products and services. The… Continue Reading
Pew – Gig Work, Online Selling and Home Sharing
24% of Americans report earning money from the digital ‘platform economy’ in the past year. The extra income they make is a luxury for some, but a necessity for others. “From neighborhood handymen to freelance computer programmers, Americans have long taken on piecemeal work in lieu of (or in addition to) traditional salaried employment. But… Continue Reading
FTC “Sharing Economy” Report Explores Evolving Internet And App-Based Services
“A Federal Trade Commission staff report released today provides an in-depth assessment of evolving business models that rely on internet and app-based “sharing economy” platforms used by millions of Americans. The report summarizes a June 2015 FTC public workshop and highlights a number of competitive benefits and potential consumer protection challenges posed by disruptive business… Continue Reading
100,000 android smartphones have backdoor hacking your data sending it to China
Secret Backdoor in Some U.S. Phones Sent Data to China, Analysts Say – “For about $50, you can get a smartphone with a high-definition display, fast data service and, according to security contractors, a secret feature: a backdoor that sends all your text messages to China every 72 hours. Security contractors recently discovered preinstalled software… Continue Reading
Amazon sues resellers of counterfeit goods
WSJ – “Amazon.com Inc. this week filed lawsuits targeting sellers allegedly listing counterfeit goods on its website, publicly cracking down on an issue that has caused increasing friction. The two lawsuits, Amazon’s first legal challenge against its third-party sellers for bogus products, pertain to fake versions of the Forearm Forklift, a strap system that allows… Continue Reading
Cell phone numbers are new avenue to disrupt privacy and access personal data
New York Times – A 10-Digit Key Code to Your Private Life: Your Cellphone Number – Steve Lohr – “A mobile number can be even more valuable than a Social Security number, since it’s tied to so many databases and connected to a device you carry with you.” Continue Reading
Vanity Fair – Welcome to the Dark Net
Welcome to the Dark Net, A Wilderness Where Invisible World Wars Are Fought and Hackers Roam Free “…Definitions. A vulnerability is a weakness in a network’s defenses. An exploit is a piece of software that takes advantage of a vulnerability. A zero-day exploit is a piece of software that takes advantage of a vulnerability that… Continue Reading
Samsung Recalls Galaxy Note7 Smartphones Due to Serious Fire and Burn Hazards
Consumer Product Safety Commission: “This recall involves the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone sold before September 15, 2016. The recalled devices have a 5.7 inch screen and were sold in the following colors: black onyx, blue coral, gold platinum and silver titanium with a matching stylus. Samsung is printed on the top front of the phone… Continue Reading
