2017 - Page 153 of 167 - Legal Reader

Are Smart TVs Spying On Us?

Brianna Smith - February 8, 2017

Smart appliances and gear is all the rage today. From smartphones and tablets to smart TVs, we’re surrounding by these nifty gadgets that supposedly make our lives easier and more enjoyable. However, some people are skeptical about their security when using smart devices. Afterall, how many times have we heard the story of someone hacking into a baby monitor to spy on a sleeping infant? It’s every parent’s nightmare. But did you know it’s not only crazy hackers the use smart devices to their advantage? In fact, some companies have been caught using their smart devices to spy on their consumers? Enter Vizio, a company that, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “used 11 million televisions to spy on its customers.”

Settlement Reached Between College Athletes and NCAA

Brianna Smith - February 8, 2017

Part of an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA has been settled, and according to a lawyer for the plaintiffs of the case, “thousands of current and former college athletes could receive $5,000 or more” as a result. The $208.7 million settlement was reached last Friday between the NCAA and 11 conferences in a class-action lawsuit “brought by players over the value of an athletic scholarship.”

Big Changes For The Unemployment Insurance Agency

Sara E. Teller - February 8, 2017

Michigan residents recently sued over a their unemployment benefits being wrongly flagged for fraud and the deal that was reached will effectively institute changes in the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Was Patricia Astone’s Death Preventable?

Sara E. Teller - February 8, 2017

Patricia Astone passed away in November from septic shock due to a urinary tract infection. Was Patti’s death preventable?

New Bill Leaves Missouri Consumers Vulnerable

Brianna Smith - February 7, 2017

Consumers should feel comfortable when shopping, plain and simple. Deceptive and unfair business practices shouldn’t even be a thought when purchasing things like cars and other items. After all, there are laws like the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act that protect consumers from “deceptive and unfair practices in business.” Unfortunately for consumers in Missouri, a new bill is being proposed that will exempt a lot of different types of companies from the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, including “auto dealers, payday and title lenders, finance companies, cable, and phone companies.” Essentially, the new bill would exempt “any company regulated by any government agency” from being sued for violating the act.

The REINS Act: The Bad Kind of Big Gov’t

Dawn Allen - February 7, 2017

Why do small government advocates love the REINS act, which forces Congress to micromanage? Perhaps because it allows business to externalize more costs. The “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny” Act of 2017 would require Congress to individually approve any new regulations with “an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more.” Remember, Congress can’t regularly agree on much of anything, including passing a budget. Assigning them the task of micromanaging every agency’s regulatory interpretation is ridiculous. It seems set up to fail, but there’s a reason for that. Both chambers would have only 70 days to pass the rules in question, or the rules expire. Rather than a Congress that micromanages them, “freedom” advocates are hoping for a government that doesn’t govern at all.

Former NFL Cheerleaders Sue League Over Unfair Wages

Brianna Smith - February 7, 2017

The topic of women’s rights has been in the news a lot lately, especially with the recent Women’s March on Washington that took place late last month. Now it’s in the news again, but this time it’s in relation to unfair wages. A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against the NFL by a group of former cheerleaders. Why? Well, according to the lawsuit, the NFL and all 26 of its member teams that “employ cheerleaders actively conspired to underpay them and keep them from negotiating better salaries.”

Ross Compton…Not As Healthy As He Claims To Be

Sara E. Teller - February 7, 2017

Ross Compton was charged with aggravated arson and insurance fraud all thanks to his pacemaker. He’s not as healthy as he claims to be.

Utah Midwife Charged with Manslaughter

Sara E. Teller - February 7, 2017

Vickie Sorensen, a 57 year old Utah midwife, was sentenced on Tuesday to six months in jail for the death of a twin newborn delivered prematurely in 2012.

Salvation Army and Others Found Liable In Deadly Building Collapse

Brianna Smith - February 6, 2017

Accidents happen all the time, but they’re even worse when they result in loss of life. Unfortunately, this is what happened when a Philadelphia Salvation Army building collapsed and claimed the lives of six people on June 5, 2013. Thirteen others who were buried in the debris and rubble survived, though some will have to live with permanent injuries they sustained when “a towering wall from an adjacent demolition project collapsed onto” the small thrift store.

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