People

Court finds litany of violations in alcoholism "cure" case

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, January 21, 2023
People, Dixie, Fraud, Alcoholism, Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Disclosure, Program, Record, Blog, Comment, FTC, Florida Attorney General, Privacy, Policy, Court, PayPal, Database, Drinking, Collection, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Online shopping

When people wouldn’t pay up, the defendants disclosed their identity in small claims court filings.

Key Points: 
  • When people wouldn’t pay up, the defendants disclosed their identity in small claims court filings.
  • In addition, they exposed their entire database of consumer info to debt collectors they hired to pursue their fees.
  • The defendants — who also did business as the Alcoholism Cure Foundation, Enjoy a Few, and Guilt Free Drinking — made what the court called “impossible demands” on people who wanted out.
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Isabel Schnabel: Interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 16, 2023
People, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, German Council of Economic Experts, Communication, German Council on Foreign Relations, European Central Bank, Decision-making, COVID-19, Executive Board of the European Central Bank, Food, TPI, Frankfurt, Aggression, Risk, Growth, Speech, Policy, APP, ECB, Board of directors, Uncertainty, Investment, PEPP, Shock, Lagarde, Reproduction, History, Bias, US, Goal, Customer service, Milk, Management, Insurance, Security (finance), Creative industries, Cryptocurrency, Risk management, Bank, Renewable energy

That is why we are doing whatever is necessary to bring inflation back to our medium-term target of 2%.

Key Points: 
  • That is why we are doing whatever is necessary to bring inflation back to our medium-term target of 2%.
  • In a speech that I gave in July 2021, I presented a series of indicators pointing towards a rise in inflation.
  • For a long time, we believed that many of the causes of inflation would vanish over time.
  • After the economy reopened, demand rapidly took off and met a relatively inelastic supply, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions.
  • *
    Indeed, but many people underestimated the extent of it; they thought that the supply chain disruptions would be resolved more quickly.
  • It was especially concerning that these price increases gradually broadened across the entire basket of goods.
  • Not only energy prices rose steeply, but also core inflation, that is inflation stripped of the volatile prices for energy and food.
  • By that time, it was clear to everyone that inflation would be more persistent.
  • You have an academic background, you were a professor on the German Council of Economic Experts.
  • Unlike in the United States, however, the disruptions in the euro area were predominantly on the supply side.
  • That makes it harder for monetary policy, as it cannot directly remove the causes for the price increase.
  • But we are now seeing a whole series of such shocks, which raises the risk of second-round effects.
  • At the same time, the robust labour market, fiscal policy and the savings accumulated during the pandemic are supporting demand.
  • There was a concern that premature action by monetary policy might unnecessarily push the economy into another recession.
  • That is why we are applying flexibility in reinvesting redemptions coming due in the pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP).
  • *Since October the ECB has been taking climate criteria into account when reinvesting funds from its corporate bond purchases.
  • In order to counteract this, we now take into account climate criteria when reinvesting funds from maturing bonds.

Christine Lagarde: Interview with Jutarnji List

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 16, 2023
People, Government, Income, Time, School, NCB, Treaty, Czech Republic, Communication, European Central Bank, Decision-making, EU, Real-time gross settlement, GDP, News, Bird, National bank, Frankfurt, ERM, Public sector, Face, Governing Council of the European Central Bank, Family, Growth, Jutarnji list, Policy, European Exchange Rate Mechanism, Hawk, Schengen Area, ECB, Board of directors, Central bank, Personal ordinariate, Union, Czech, Tourism, Reproduction, NCBS, Customer service, Nightclub, Bank, Healthcare, Animal, Management, Eurosystem

After the shortest period in the ERM II of all new EU Member States, Croatia is now also about to join the euro area.

Key Points: 
  • After the shortest period in the ERM II of all new EU Member States, Croatia is now also about to join the euro area.
  • Croatia has implemented reforms and the necessary restructuring and done everything to continue to have sound public finances.
  • To what extent have these new circumstances changed the narrative in terms of the costs and benefits of introducing the euro?
  • *
    It is good to have the euro because it can operate as a shield.
  • I am old enough to remember when France became a member of the euro area and we exchanged the franc for the euro.
  • We were also worried that abandoning our currency and adopting the common currency might have grave consequences in terms of higher prices and less independence.
  • The initial concern that prices will be a little higher can be allayed.
  • I am certain that the Croatian government has taken the necessary steps, such as ensuring prices are clearly displayed in both kuna and euro.
  • In France, too, we were able to monitor the prices in both francs and euro for about half a year.
  • At the moment, ECB policy rates must be higher to curb inflation and bring it down to our target of 2%.
  • That process is essential because it would be even worse if we allowed inflation to become entrenched in the economy.
  • So, we must do it now, but this is in no way connected to Croatia introducing the euro.
  • What do ECB procedures say on this, what practices were employed by other new members of the euro area?
  • All these projections are based on an assumption of no additional shocks or worsening of the difficulties we are facing.
  • Obviously, the three important words “whatever it takes” apply almost equally to inflation as they did to the euro?

What the pandemic has taught businesses about the collection of health information

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 17, 2022
People, Online, Review, Virus, SSDF, Accountability Act, Software, Government, Technology, Security, Coffee, Fraud, Blog, Research, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, HIPAA, Federal Trade Commission, Privacy, COVID, Collection, Comment, FTC, Policy, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Contact tracing, Risk, Record, Wi-Fi, Pharmacy, Airport, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device, Mobile phone, Online shopping

As businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits reopen and employees return to inperson offices, many pandemic safety measures are being modified.

Key Points: 
  • As businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits reopen and employees return to inperson offices, many pandemic safety measures are being modified.
  • If your company checked employees or customers vaccine status or collected other COVID-related information, have you considered what to do with the data now?
  • Businesses that maintain that information or that developed apps or other products to facilitate its collection can pass along an important pointer to others planning to enter the burgeoning health app marketplace: Sensitive health information should come with a Caution: Handle with Care label.
  • If your company creates vaccine verification apps or if youre developing other health-related apps, here are some key considerations.
  • Make accurate representations.Clearly explain how peoples information will be used and shared and then live up to those promises.
  • And if a customer needs to update information on file to continue to use your app, communicate that clearly.
  • Review and update your privacy claims.Companies are creating apps that may evolve over time to share new or different information, particularly as they relate to public health developments.
  • If youre dealing with health data or kids data, understand applicable standards and regulations.Additional legal provisions may apply when health information and kids information is involved.
  • If you dont need more detailed information, dont ask for it and dont collect it in the first place.
  • Provide a secure environment.If you do use technology to collect personal information, do you have a secure network through which the information is transmitted?
  • Look beyond COVID-related circumstances to take a fresh look at your information collection and retention practices.

FTC challenges influencer campaign for Warner Bros.’ Shadow of Mordor game

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 16, 2022
People, Federal Trade Commission, Social media, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Language, Nemesis, Fraud, Blog, Advertising, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Privacy, Comment, Complaint, Digital, FTC, Disclosure, Compliance, YouTube, Thumb, Policy, Record, Failure, Warner, Contextual advertising, Deception, Warner Bros., Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Shadow, Internet celebrity, Video game, Online shopping, Real estate, Mordor, Facebook

In the FTCs lawsuit against Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, truth in advertising had a nemesis: paid pitches for Shadow of Mordor that Warner Bros. deceptively claimed were independent reviews.

Key Points: 
  • In the FTCs lawsuit against Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, truth in advertising had a nemesis: paid pitches for Shadow of Mordor that Warner Bros. deceptively claimed were independent reviews.
  • To help launch
    Shadow of Mordor, Warner Bros. brought a social media company on board to coordinate a YouTube influencer campaign.
  • One strategy was to hire influential gamers to post videos promoting Shadow of Mordor videos that ultimately yielded more than 5.5 million YouTube views.
  • In addition to free game access, Warner Bros. paid the influencers cash ranging from hundreds of dollars to five figures.
  • Influencers videos were subject to pre-approval and, according to the terms of the agreement, Warner Bros. will be deemed the author and exclusive owner.
  • Warner Bros. was quite exacting in what else it required of influencers:
    - Video will feature gameplay of the
    Shadow of Mordorgame.
  • - Video will not communicate negative sentiment about Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, its affiliates or the game.
  • Warner Bros. also required One Facebook post or one Tweet by Influencer in support of Video.
  • And for FTC watchers, thats where the story gets almost as interesting as
    Shadow of Mordor.
  • The complaint charges that Warner Bros. falsely represented that the
    Shadow of Mordor gameplay videos reflected the independent opinions or experiences of impartial gamers.
  • The FTC also alleges that, in many cases, Warner Bros. failed to disclose or failed to adequately disclose influencers material connection to the company.
  • For future influencer campaigns, the proposed settlement outlines steps Warner Bros. must take to monitor influencers conduct.

Press release - Sakharov Prize 2022: Parliament honours the Ukrainian People

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
People, Courage, Crime, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Democracy, Freedom, Nobel Peace Prize, European Parliament, Union, Center, Man, Movement, Sakharov Prize, Woman, Aggression, Parliament, Animal, EU, European

Sakharov Prize 2022: Parliament honours the Ukrainian People

Key Points: 
  • Sakharov Prize 2022: Parliament honours the Ukrainian People
    Parliaments 2022 Sakharov Prize was awarded to the brave People of Ukraine, in a ceremony on 14 December.
  • Awarding the prize, President Metsola spoke of the courage and sacrifices of the Ukrainian people: The message from Europe has been clear: We stand with Ukraine.
  • The Ukrainian people are not just fighting a war of independence but fighting a war of values.
  • The European Parliaments Sakharov Prize
    The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by the European Parliament.

Highlights - Workshop on Menstrual poverty - 08.12.22 - Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 2, 2022
People, Woman, Waste management, Vienna University of Economics and Business, VAT, Policy, Institut Universitari de Cultura, Business, Poverty, Department, Education, Birth control, Medical device, Economics, Workshop

Workshop on Menstrual poverty - 08.12.22

Key Points: 
  • Workshop on Menstrual poverty - 08.12.22
    On Thursday, 08 December 2022, the FEMM Committee will hold a workshop on Menstrual poverty organised by the Policy Department on Citizens Rights and Constitutional Affairs.
  • Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these.
  • People who experience period poverty are unable to purchase the menstrual products they need, and, in many cases, this means that they cannot go to school or work or otherwise participate in daily life.
  • It can make people feel shamed for menstruating, and the stigma surrounding periods prevents individuals from talking about it.

"Talkin' 'bout lead gen-eration"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
People, Privacy, Federal Trade Commission, Judgement, Blog, Attention, Radio, Policy, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Comment, Television, Law enforcement, Industry, Record, Fraud, Brown Institute for Media Innovation, Business, FTC, Security (finance), Bank, Financial services, Online shopping

The ads featured a laundry list of questionable claims:

Key Points: 
  • The ads featured a laundry list of questionable claims:
    Find out today how quickly and easily you can eliminate your debt.
  • Let the professionals at the Financial Future Network help, and enjoy the freedom of debt-free living.
  • One TV ad featured a bar chart that shows a consumers debt shrinking from "thousands" to "hundreds" with the words "You Pay Less!"
  • To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information.