All articles tagged with #consumer protections
The UK House of Lords discussed the need for stronger consumer protections for gamers, citing the quick shutdown of the game Concord as an example, and emphasizing the importance of transparency about game longevity and functionality, although current laws like the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 are seen as insufficient to address issues like game shutdowns.
California has enacted the CARS Act, a comprehensive law signed by Governor Newsom that enhances consumer protections in auto sales, including stricter advertising rules, mandatory disclosure of costs, a three-day return policy for used cars under $50,000, and record-keeping requirements for dealerships, set to take effect in October 2026.
The US government shutdown has led to widespread furloughs and unpaid work for federal employees, affecting services like national parks, Smithsonian museums, and housing programs, while essential services such as social security and healthcare continue, though delays are possible. Travel remains operational, but staffing issues may cause delays, and consumer protections are at risk due to staffing cuts.
The article argues that US airlines offer minimal promises to passengers, with contracts of carriage promising only basic service and refunds if they can't deliver. It criticizes efforts to deregulate the industry, emphasizing that airlines often lack incentives to prioritize customer service, especially when things go wrong. The author advocates for stronger regulation to ensure airlines fulfill their commitments and protect consumers, warning that deregulation could regress recent progress in passenger rights.
The Trump administration has canceled a Biden-era rule that provided compensation for flight delays and cancellations, continuing a trend of rolling back consumer protections in the airline industry, including plans to eliminate disclosure requirements and revise refund regulations.
The Biden administration has granted consumers using "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) services the same legal protections as credit card users, allowing them to dispute charges, demand refunds for returned products, and receive periodic billing statements. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's ruling aims to address the lack of protections for BNPL users, as the popularity of these services grows, particularly among younger consumers. However, BNPL firms may push back against the ruling, arguing that their products are fundamentally different from credit cards.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new rules to close a loophole that has allowed big banks to charge exorbitant overdraft fees, estimating that American consumers have paid $280 billion in such fees since 2000. The proposed regulations would apply to banks with more than $10 billion in assets and offer them two options for approaching commercial overdraft coverage. President Biden has criticized the exploitation of vulnerable Americans by banks and the proposed changes are part of the administration's effort to crack down on "junk fees."
House Republicans have passed a package of health insurance bills, known as the CHOICE Act, that could reduce health insurance costs for certain businesses and consumers by rolling back some consumer protections. The legislation includes provisions for short-term plans, association health plans, self-insurance, and workplace issues. However, these reforms are unlikely to become law while the Senate is controlled by Democrats. The Biden administration, on the other hand, seeks to tighten regulations for short-term plans and undo some of the previous administration's health insurance rules. The proposals reflect ongoing debates about the rising cost of healthcare and the balance between affordability and consumer protections.
The Biden administration plans to introduce new rules requiring airlines to compensate passengers for significant flight delays or cancellations when carriers are responsible. The U.S. Transportation Department will write regulations that will require airlines to cover expenses such as meals and hotels if carriers are responsible for stranding passengers. Most carriers voluntarily committed in August 2022 to providing hotels or meals but resisted providing cash compensation for delays. The updated dashboard will show that one airline guarantees frequent flyer miles and two airlines guarantee travel credits or vouchers when cancellations or delays result in passengers' waiting three hours.