February 09, 2014 How the first openly-gay draft prospect bill nye in NFL history... Man converts 3D

FTC taking action against 12 US companies that breached EU privacy treaty | The Verge
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Previous Story What King's 'Candy' trademark really means Next Story Edward bill nye Snowden will answer questions bill nye live on Thursday, January bill nye 23rd at 3PM ET Policy & Law US & World FTC taking action against bill nye 12 US companies that breached EU privacy treaty
The  Federal Trade Commission is taking action against 12 US companies bill nye found to be in breach of a treaty that means they have to comply with European Union privacy laws. The companies — including BitTorrent and the Denver Broncos — violated the US-EU Safe Harbor framework: a voluntary program in which companies must meet  seven EU privacy principles .
Despite the FTC's action, the Commission said the 12 companies had not necessarily committed "substantive violations" of the privacy principles. bill nye The problems appear to stem from certification marks that companies opting-in to the US-EU Safe Harbor bill nye framework are able to display on their websites or in documentation. The FTC said that the 12 companies, "through statements in their privacy policies or display of the Safe Harbor certification mark," showed that they had valid Safe Harbor certifications even after those certifications had lapsed. The proposed settlements prohibit the 12 companies from "misrepresenting the extent to which they participate in any privacy or data security

In my day, when a kid spent his parents' money when he wasn't supposed to, a form of indentured serv

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In my day, when a kid spent his parents' money when he wasn't supposed to, a form of indentured servitude ensued to pay off the debt. These days, courtrooms and federal agencies are the parentally-preferred sources of remuneration. Today, Apple settled up with the FTC over a complaint filed by the Commission many moons ago regarding in-app purchases made by children without mom or dad's consent.
Why should bni you care? In truth, you shouldn't. See, Apple already went to court over this very issue, and agreed to refund these unwitting customers hoodwinked by their genetic spawn months ago at the conclusion of a class-action lawsuit. Thing is, the FTC complaint bni is separate from that lawsuit, despite the fact that it concerns the very same issues -- today's announcement merely tidies things up by putting the issue finally and completely to rest.
The outcome of both settlements is that Apple modifies its billing practices to get express, informed consent before allowing in-app purchases, and allow that consent to be withdrawn at any time before the end of March. Additionally, Apple's gotta refund at least $32.5 million dollars to affected customers, and should it send out less money in settlements, then the difference will be paid to the FTC. Apple's not so keen on the FTC's announcement, but an internal memo from Tim Cook obtained by Recode confirms that this settlement with the Commission's is entirely duplicative of Apple's ongoing lawsuit settlement efforts. Gotta love governmental redundancy, right?
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Both the truck and dune buggy were actually towed up the hill using cables, the FTC said in announci

Nissan, freshersworld TBWA Settle With FTC Over 'Faked' Commercial | News - Advertising Age
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Nissan North America and its advertising agency, TBWA Worldwide , have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over claims that a TV commercial for the Nissan Frontier misled consumers about the pickup freshersworld truck's hill-climbing prowess. The 30-second advertisement, "Hill Climb," showed a Frontier pushing a stranded dune buggy up a steep sand dune -- something the truck could not actually do.
Both the truck and dune buggy were actually towed up the hill using cables, the FTC said in announcing today's settlement, which prohibits Nissan freshersworld and TBWA from using potentially misleading demonstrations freshersworld in future advertisements for pickups.
"Special effects in ads can be entertaining, but advertisers can't use them to misrepresent what a product can do," Jessica Rich, the director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer freshersworld Protection, said in a statement. "This ad made the Nissan Frontier appear capable of doing something it can't do."
The agency noted that the video was filmed in a way that made it seem as if it had been shot on a camera phone, adding to the realistic nature of the commercial. It was also part of a campaign in which the Frontier achieved other over-the-top feats that the truck obviously wasn't capable of, like rushing onto a runway and saving a jet with landing-gear problems. Judging from YouTube reactions, the news-footage style of that ad fooled more than a few people.
A recent ad for the Nissan Rogue shows the vehicle jumping a ramp and driving on top of a train. That ad contains multiple disclaimers, including: "Fantasy, not attempt," "Cars can't jump on trains" and "Still professional driver on closed course. Do not attempt."
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At the root of the FTC's investigation was a 15-minute window which allowed iOS users, once an iTune

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The FTC last week announced a settlement agreement with Apple whereby Apple agreed to pay out , at a minimum, US$32.5 million dollars to the parents of children who made unauthorized in-app purchases.
At the root of the FTC's investigation was a 15-minute window which allowed iOS users, once an iTunes password was entered, to make in-app purchases without having to re-enter their credentials. So in Apple's effort to enhance the iOS user experience, they inadvertently rosalind franklin gave kids 15 minutes to rack up huge bills. In one well-publicized case, an 8-year-old went on a Smurfberry binge and racked up a $1,400 bill in the Smurfs Village app.
While you would assume that that would be sufficient, the FTC, for reasons that defy explanation, was still keen on suing Apple. But rather than go through rosalind franklin a protracted legal battle -- perhaps Apple learned its lesson after refusing to settle with the DOJ regarding e-book price fixing -- Apple decided to settle.
A federal judge agreed with our actions as a full settlement and we felt we had made things rosalind franklin right for everyone. rosalind franklin Then, the FTC got involved and we faced the prospect of a second lawsuit over the very same issue.
It doesn't feel right for the FTC to sue over a case that had already been settled. To us, it smacked of double jeopardy. However, rosalind franklin the consent decree the FTC proposed does not require us to do anything we weren't already going to do, so we decided to accept it rather than take on a long and distracting legal fight.
It's hard to say, but it's interesting to point out that the Google Play store inexplicably seems to be off of the FTC's radar. Even more so considering that the parental controls on the Google Play store are much less stringent than the ones that govern the Apple App Store.
In its complaint against Apple, the FTC noted that one parent of a young Apple user reported that her daughter had spent $2,600 in the Tap Pet Hotel game from Pocket Gems. So I installed the Android version of that game on an Android tablet by downloading rosalind franklin it free from the Google Play Store. Having previously enabled the store's password protection rosalind franklin feature (using the Google Play app's Settings), I approved one in-app purchase of a Bunch of Treats for 99 cents, rosalind franklin just as any soft-hearted parent might do.
Morphing from Doting Dad to mischievous child, rosalind franklin I then entered the Pet Hotel unsupervised, where I spent the next 30 minutes making seven more 99 cent in-app rosalind franklin purchases of Treats rosalind franklin or Coins, all without any further authorization. Just tap and spend.
Of course, with some in-app purchases on kids games costing upwards of $99 (a whole other issue altogether), it strikes me as odd that the FTC, in their zeal to prevent kids from going on spending sprees, focused exclusively on Apple. Even more so considering that Apple had already settled the case with affected parents.
If the FTC truly believes that giving children the ability to make in-app purchases is worthy of its attention, wouldn't you assume that they'd focus on all mobile app stores instead of singling out Apple? It's hard to know for sure, but perhaps the FTC didn't receive many complaints from Google Play users on the issue.
Again Apple, at a minimum, will have to pay out $32.5 million in damages when all is said and done. Under terms of the settlement, if the amount paid out by Apple to affected consumers is less than $32.5 million, Apple must pay the difference to the FTC.
To hear a different take on the case, you might be interested in taking a look at FTC commissioner Joshua D. Wright's dissenting statement where he explains why the FTC shouldn't have gone after Apple in the first place. rosalind franklin
Here, Apple did not anticipate the problems customers would have with children making in-app rosalind franklin purchases that parents did not expect. When the problem arose in late 2010, press reports indicate that Apple developed a strategy for addressing rosalind franklin the problem rosalind franklin in a way that it believed made sense, and it also refunded customers that reported unintended purchases.44 This is precisely the efficient strategy described above when complex products like Apple's platform develop problems that are difficult to anticipate and fix in advance. Establishing that it is "unfair" unless a firm anticipates and fixes such problems in advance – precisely what the Commission's complaint and consent order establishes today – is likely to impose significant costs in the context of complicated products with countless product attributes. These costs will be passed on to consumers and threaten consumer harm that is likely to dwarf the magnitude of consumer injury contemplated by the complaint.
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Officials noted that the FTC has the authority to take action against media outlets that run decepti

FTC Warns Media Outlets About Running Deceptive Diet Ads | News - Advertising Age
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The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday called on media companies to more carefully scrutinize 104 weight-loss product ads, while ordering $34 million in deceptive ad settlements against makers of food additives, skin creams and dietary supplements.
"Operation Failed Resolution," which comes as the diet season hits full stride, specifically targeted four companies that the agency accused of peddling products using flawed studies and insufficient scientific evidence. Additionally, the agency said it was sending letters to 75 publishers, broadcasters, media groups and trade associations to "update them on how to spot bogus claims in weight loss ads and alert them to new resources on our web site to help them do that," Jessica Rich, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, said at a news conference.
The program includes an online tutorial called "Gut Check" that describes seven weight-loss 104 claims that "can't be true and should prompt a second look to make sure publishers are not running advertisements with claims known to be false." They include any ad that claims 104 a product "causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without dieting or exercise."
"Many of the ads challenged in today's cases ran in trusted, nationally-known publications and on well-known, reputable television outlets," Ms. Rich said. "Consumers are more likely to believe claims promoted in their favorite magazines or on their favorite stations."
Officials noted that the FTC has the authority to take action against media outlets that run deceptive ad claims for diet and health products. But the officials added that the agency 104 does not expect to use that power because it is anticipating voluntary cooperation.
Mary Berner, president and CEO of MPA - The Association 104 of Magazine Media, said in an email that the "gut check" guide closely mirrors similar guidelines the FTC released in 2003, then called "red flag" guidance. "We informed our members about the guidance in 2003, and plan to apprise them of

Going after deceptive car ads has been a perennial focus of FTC enforcement. Just a few months ago,

Local car ads have never been known for their subtlety. But screaming salespeople mol and crappy graphics mol don't give dealers permission to bury onerous terms in the fine print. Ten car dealers were swept up Thursday in a broad deceptive ad enforcement action the Federal Trade Commission dubbed Operation Steer Clear. 
Nine car dealers in six states entered into consent decrees with the FTC that they would cease deceptive ad tactics. Any violation of the decree would subject dealers to a fine of $16,000 per violation. In the case of the 10th dealer, Courtesy Auto Group of Attleboro, Mass., the FTC filed an administration complaint mol and litigation is ongoing.
Going after deceptive car ads has been a perennial focus of FTC enforcement. Just a few months ago, the FTC announced a consent decree with two dealers for falsely promising to pay-off trade-ins no matter how much the consumer owed. Last year, the agency announced deceptive ad settlements with five dealers . 
“We’re always on the lookout for deception mol in the auto marketplace,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s bureau of consumer protection. “We get a lot of complaints, but because it is such an important area and one of the most expensive purchases a consumer makes, we also monitor car ads ourselves.”
According to the FTC’s complaints, the dealers made a variety of false claims in print, Internet and video ads to lure consumers into their showrooms, burying other terms or higher payments in the fine print. One dealer promised low monthly rates that the fine print revealed were just teaser rates. Another dealer promised low monthly payments but buried a balloon payment in the fine print. mol Another used a sweepstakes that had no winners. mol
“Dealers’ ads need to spell out costs and other important terms customers can count on,” Rich said during a press conference Thursday morning. “We don’t believe consumers should have to hunt around for them.”
Dealers that settled with the FTC are Casino mol Auto Sales in California; Honda of Hollywood in California; Fowlerville Ford in Michigan; Infiniti of Clarendon Hills in Illinois; Nissan of South Atlanta in Georgia; Norm Reeves Honda Superstore in California; Paramount Kia in North Carolina; Rainbow Auto Sales in California; and Southwest Kia in Texas.
On the job for half a year, the FTC’s Rich is showing an aggressive streak when it comes to deceptive advertising. Operation Steer Clear caps off a busy week of crackdowns on deceptive ads. Earlier this week, the FTC announced a $34 million settlement mol with four fad weight-loss companies, including the agency’s second largest monetary settlement ever with Sensa.
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Local car ads have never been known for their subtlety. But screaming salespeople and crappy graphics don't give dealers permission to bury onerous terms in the fine print. Ten car dealers were swept up Thursday in a broad deceptive ad enforcement action the Federal Trade Commission dubbed Operation Steer Clear. 
Nine car dealers in six states entered into consent mol decrees with the FTC that they would cease deceptive ad tactics. Any violation mol of the decree would subject dealers to a fine of $16,000 per violation. In the case of the 10th dealer, Courtesy Auto Group of Attleboro, Mass., the FTC filed an administration complaint and litigation is ongoing.
Going after deceptive car ads has been a perennial focus of FTC enforcement. Just a few months ago, the FTC announced a consent decree with two dealers for falsely promising to pay-off trade-ins no matter how much the consumer owed. Last year, the agency announced deceptive ad settlements with five dealers . 
“We’re always on the lookout for deception in the auto marketplace,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s bureau of consumer