Melanie Ramey writes: Mobile phone manufacturer BLU Products, Inc. entered into a settlement agreement with the FTC last week to resolve allegations that one of BLU’s China-based vendors collected personal information about its consumers without proper consent. The settlement agreement, which took the form of a consent order, applies not only to BLU but also…
Category: Govt
NIH Plans to Enroll 1 Million People for Health Database
Catherine Offord reports: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is planning to enroll 1 million people across the U.S. for a database of genetics, lifestyles, and environmental conditions relating to health. The agency’s “All of Us” program, which will open for volunteer signup on Sunday (May 6), will provide an important tool in the development…
Phone Maker Blu Gets Wrist Slap Over Chinese Spyware
Angela Moscaritolo reports: Miami-based budget smartphone maker Blu has settled with the Federal Trade Commission over spyware allegations. The company was accused of misleading customers and putting their data at risk by allowing a third-party service provider to send their text messages, real-time location information, and other personal information to a server in China. Blu…
UK parliament’s call for Zuckerberg to testify goes next level
Oh look. The UK parliament is learning how to play hardball! Natasha Lomas reports: The UK parliament has issued an impressive ultimatum to Facebook in a last-ditch attempt to get Mark Zuckerberg to take its questions: Come and give evidence voluntarily or next time you fly to the UK you’ll get a formal summons to…