Tag Archives: consumer protection

Zip codes are considered personal information when it comes to Massachusetts consumer privacy laws, the state Supreme Court ruled last week in a decision that could have national implications for large retail chains. In Tyler v. Michaels Stores, the court unanimously agreed that “a zip code constitutes personal identification information” and therefore could not be solicited during credit card purchases unless the consumer volunteers to provide it, with the knowledge that it could be used for marketing purposes. The suit …

A new lawsuit takes aim at beer and wine companies for not warning consumers that they could become alcoholics. Frivolous lawsuit? Or new trend that will let consumers collect millions from liquor companies? The lawsuit seeks $1 billion from Miller Brewing, Anheuser-Busch, Coors and other major beer and wine makers for not adding warning labels on their bottles to tell people that alcohol is habit forming and addictive. But here’s the kicker: the lawsuit was brought by five inmates in …

Meet ALEC — the nickname for the American Legislation Exchange Council — that has recently come to light as a cozy meeting place where Big Business is accused of “ghostwriting” its wish list of laws that state legislators  introduce across the country. While recent media attention has focused on ALEC’s role in passing pro-gun laws like Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law, scant attention has been paid to the group’s anti-consumer agenda.  A law written by ALEC just gutted the Ohio …