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U.S. House Committee Supports FTC Investigation into AI Surveillance Pricing Practices

U.S. House Committee Supports FTC Investigation into AI Surveillance Pricing Practices

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has expressed support for the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) proposed rule aimed at curbing deceptive AI-driven surveillance pricing. Chairman Comer has requested a staff-level briefing from the FTC regarding its efforts to address these practices. Surveillance pricing, also known as personalized pricing, involves companies using extensive consumer data—including purchase history, real-time location, demographics, income, browsing history, and even cursor movements—to set individualized prices for goods and services. This practice is prevalent across numerous industries, affecting prices for groceries, rental housing, airline fares, hotel rooms, retail goods, and more. The FTC's proposed rule mandates that businesses employing personalized pricing must clearly and conspicuously disclose that the price is personalized, the basis for this personalization, and the types of data used. The FTC asserts that failure...
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Amazon Music Subscription Cancellation Process Detailed for Cost Savings

Amazon Music Subscription Cancellation Process Detailed for Cost Savings

Amazon Music Subscription Cancellation Process Detailed for Cost Savings
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Former Governor Fayemi Links Nigeria's Insecurity to Unresolved National Questions

Former Governor Fayemi Links Nigeria's Insecurity to Unresolved National Questions

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State Governor and ex-Minister of Solid Minerals, has asserted that Nigeria's persistent security challenges, including insurgency and banditry, stem from deeper, unresolved structural and national questions. Speaking on ARISE News, Fayemi emphasized that addressing insecurity requires more than just security operations. He argued that Nigeria must first define its national interest, objectives, and political structure. According to Fayemi, the absence of a clearly defined national objective has contributed significantly to the country's ongoing problems. He stated that Nigeria is grappling with both a leadership crisis and fundamental structural weaknesses that hinder efforts to build a stable and secure nation. These comments come as Nigeria continues to face various forms of insecurity, including terrorist insurgency in the North-East, banditry, and kidnapping in several northern states, alongside other violent conflicts nationwide.
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Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought Shifts Agency to Deregulation, Collaborative Approach with Financial Companies

Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought Shifts Agency to Deregulation, Collaborative Approach with Financial Companies

Russell Vought, the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Trump administration, has refashioned the agency's approach to overseeing financial companies. Testifying before Congress in mid-July, Vought stated that the 'new' CFPB would prioritize deregulation, embrace 'humility,' and adopt a 'collaborative approach' when dealing with companies accused of exploiting Americans. This marks a significant departure from the agency's original mandate, established after the 2008 economic crash, which aimed for a more aggressive stance against financial misconduct. Vought, a top adviser to President Trump, had previously attempted to dismantle the bureau through mass layoffs, funding cuts, and ending its headquarters lease, though these efforts were blocked by federal courts. His current strategy involves a less adversarial role, focusing on working with companies rather than pursuing them with traditional supervisory or enforcement actions. This shift was highlighted in the CFP...
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Trump Administration Criticizes UK Plans to Boost Traditional Media on Social Platforms

Trump Administration Criticizes UK Plans to Boost Traditional Media on Social Platforms

The Trump administration has voiced 'serious concerns' regarding the UK's proposed plans to compel digital platforms like YouTube to give more prominence to established broadcasters. The U.S. government, through its embassy in London, warned that such a move risks 'facilitating censorship' and could establish a precedent that authoritarian regimes might use to justify greater control over online content. The UK's initiative aims to counter misinformation online and support traditional media outlets like the BBC and ITV, which are facing challenges from increasingly dominant digital platforms. The Trump administration argues that prioritizing government-preferred media in algorithms could undermine independent journalists and amount to 'extraterritorial censorship of protected speech by Americans online.'
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Uber Seeks Bilingual Safety Investigations Specialist in São Paulo, Brazil

Uber Seeks Bilingual Safety Investigations Specialist in São Paulo, Brazil

Uber Seeks Bilingual Safety Investigations Specialist in São Paulo, Brazil
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Meta Seeks New Trial in New Mexico Case with $1 Billion at Stake

Meta Seeks New Trial in New Mexico Case with $1 Billion at Stake

Meta Seeks New Trial in New Mexico Case with $1 Billion at Stake
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Uber tries to leave a key market

Uber tries to leave a key market

The ride-hailing giant thought it was done, but that may not be the case.
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Uber makes an unexpected call on robotaxis

Uber makes an unexpected call on robotaxis

The company that broke the taxi rules is writing new ones, and Waymo is the reason.
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Uber Ceases Operations in Nigeria and Uganda Amidst Rising Costs and Driver Complaints

Uber Ceases Operations in Nigeria and Uganda Amidst Rising Costs and Driver Complaints

Uber Ceases Operations in Nigeria and Uganda Amidst Rising Costs and Driver Complaints
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Massachusetts Pauses Data Center Sales Tax Exemptions Amidst Energy and Community Concerns

Massachusetts Pauses Data Center Sales Tax Exemptions Amidst Energy and Community Concerns

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced a pause on accepting data center sales tax exemption applications. This decision comes as the state seeks to implement stronger protections for communities against potential negative impacts from future data center development. Concurrently, the Healey Administration has released a framework outlining expectations for data centers operating in Massachusetts. This framework suggests that data centers should procure 100% clean energy, establish water protection standards, and engage in community benefits agreements. While currently not legally binding, many of these expectations have been incorporated into the Senate's version of the energy affordability bill, which is now under negotiation between the House and Senate. This cautious approach reflects growing concerns over data centers' significant power consumption and their potential to increase energy bills and adversely affect public health, particularly through the use of fossil fuel backup generators. S...
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Maryland Implements New Law Prohibiting Personalized Grocery Pricing Based on Consumer Data

Maryland Implements New Law Prohibiting Personalized Grocery Pricing Based on Consumer Data

Maryland is set to enact the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act on October 1, a new law designed to safeguard consumers from personalized grocery pricing. This legislation prohibits covered grocery retailers and third-party delivery services from utilizing a customer's personal data to charge them higher prices for most tax-exempt groceries. Personalized pricing, also known as surveillance-based or dynamic pricing, involves setting individual prices for consumers based on collected personal data, which can include location, browsing history, and shopping activity. The law applies to grocery stores exceeding 15,000 square feet that sell tax-exempt food and to third-party services facilitating the delivery of such groceries. It does not, however, cover prepared food for immediate consumption or restaurant meals. The Maryland General Assembly's analysis highlighted that retailers could use various online behaviors, such as mouse movements or items left in digital carts, to establish individualized prices. ...