Topic: consumer rights
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Stop Killing Games: A Consumer Revolt Reshaping Digital Distribution
The "Stop Killing Games" movement highlights a consumer rights issue where always-online games can become permanently unplayable after server shutdowns, challenging the notion of what players actually own when they purchase a license. Current consumer protection laws offer little recourse for pla...
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U.S. State Privacy Laws: Your Essential Guide
The U.S. lacks a unified federal privacy law, creating a complex patchwork of state regulations that businesses must navigate, with common consumer rights but differing scopes and obligations. Key state privacy laws, such as those in California, Virginia, and Colorado, set specific thresholds for...
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Take Back Control of Your Online Shopping Data
Online shopping involves extensive collection and sharing of personal data, often without full user awareness or consent, posing significant privacy risks. Data is frequently stored indefinitely and shared with third parties, increasing exposure to breaches, misuse, and targeted scams, as seen in...
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Microsoft Makes Last-Minute Windows 10 Lifeline Deal
Microsoft will provide free extended security updates for Windows 10 to consumers in the European Economic Area, reversing its initial paid support plan after the 2025 end-of-life date. This policy change follows pressure from Euroconsumers, who argued that paid support violated the EU's Digital ...
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Honda Manager Demands Date, Adds $10K After Customer's Refusal
A viral video exposed a California Honda sales manager pressuring a female customer for a date and adding a $10,000 markup after she declined, highlighting severe unprofessional conduct. This incident reflects a longstanding pattern of gender bias in auto sales, documented by studies showing wome...
Read More » IAB Tech Lab Advances Privacy with GPP & DDRF Updates
The IAB Tech Lab has updated the Global Privacy Protocol (GPP) to include new state-level privacy laws and will transition to a twice-yearly update schedule starting in 2026 for better predictability. The Data Deletion Request Framework (DDRF) V2 introduces standardized formats and security measu...
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Hyundai Requires Permission to Change Your Own Brakes
An Ioniq 5 N owner found that replacing rear brake pads requires a specialized Hyundai diagnostic tool to disengage and recalibrate the electronic parking brake, making the task inaccessible without official equipment. Access to the necessary software demands a costly subscription, expensive hard...
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GOG's New Owner on Challenging Steam and Ending DRM
GOG's co-founder has repurchased the DRM-free platform from CD Projekt RED, securing its independence and allowing it to focus on its core mission of game preservation and consumer-friendly practices. The sale was driven by strategic focus rather than poor performance, as GOG can now prioritize i...
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MediaWorld's €15 iPad Pricing Error Sparks Customer Recall
MediaWorld mistakenly sold iPad Air tablets for €15 instead of €879 due to a technical error, and customers successfully purchased and collected them without initial cancellation warnings. The company later offered buyers the choice to pay the price difference with a discount or return the iPad f...
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GOG Splits From CD Projekt, Remains DRM-Free
GOG has officially become an independent company, separating from CD Projekt to reinforce its core mission of offering DRM-free games and ensuring true player ownership. The platform's founding DRM-free philosophy, established in 2007, is a significant commitment in a market often reliant on onli...
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Google Blames Samsung Charger for Pixel's Swollen Battery
A Google Pixel service center in Delhi reportedly blamed a swollen battery on the customer's use of a Samsung charger, a claim that sparked debate over warranty practices and technical accuracy. The technical explanation is questionable, as modern chargers and devices communicate for safe power d...
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CRA & Ehsan Center Host Digital Privacy Workshop for ITU Anniversary
The Communications Regulatory Authority and Ehsan Center organized a workshop on personal data protection and secure mobile usage, targeting elderly individuals to enhance their digital safety skills. The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 by fostering responsible technology use and b...
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Your Data Could Set the Price of Your Eggs
A new New York State law requires retailers to disclose when they use personal data and algorithms to set dynamic, personalized prices for online shoppers. The law mandates a "clear and conspicuous" notice but does not force companies to reveal which specific data points are used or how they infl...
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