consumer protection Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

NJ AG sues Discord, claims the messaging app exposes kids to online predators

Law enforcement officials in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Discord, claiming the company misled parents about its safety controls and failed to protect children from sexual and violent content on its platform. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that Discord has violated consumer protection laws, exposing children to risks from online predators. The lawsuit alleges that Discord's safety features were inadequate and that the app's claims of protecting young users were misleading. Specifically, it criticized the "Safe Direct Messaging" feature for failing to effectively detect or delete explicit content. The lawsuit seeks remedies including an injunction against further violations, civil penalties, and forfeiture of profits generated in New Jersey.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Fury over rape and incest game that tells players to be ‘women’s worst nightmare’, as Tech Secretary slams PC giant

The computer game "No Mercy" features a male protagonist who is encouraged to adopt a predatory mindset, promoting themes of violence and non-consensual acts. The game has received criticism from various figures, including Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who described it as "deeply worrying" and called for its removal from the gaming platform Steam. Despite its disturbing content, "No Mercy" has received 'very positive' user reviews on Steam. The game includes elements of violence, incest, and blackmail, and features "unavoidable non-consensual sex." Concerns have been raised about the lax age verification process on Steam, which allows children to easily access the game. Child mental health expert Nova Eden noted that many parents mistakenly view Steam as a safe environment. Although LBC reported the game's inappropriate content to Steam, it remains available for purchase. The situation raises questions about Ofcom's ability to moderate online content, as it cannot investigate individual complaints. The Games Rating Authority clarified that while physical games must carry a PEGI age rating, digital games are not subject to the same requirement, leaving gaps in consumer protection.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

Popular Android financial help app is actually dangerous malware

Cybersecurity researchers discovered a predatory loan application called SpyLoan on the Google Play Store, which targeted Indian consumers and achieved around 100,000 downloads before being removed. The app presented itself as a financial management tool but required extensive permissions, accessing sensitive user information. User reviews indicated experiences of blackmail and low loan amounts. SpyLoan falsely claimed affiliation with a registered non-banking financial company and redirected users to download a separate loan application from an external site, circumventing some Google safeguards. Google confirmed the app's removal and stated that Android devices are protected against known malware through Google Play Protect.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Martin Lewis warning on bank app payment to Ryanair, JustEat and others

Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, cautioned about the "pay by bank app" options at online checkouts, noting that while they streamline transactions, they lack consumer protection compared to credit card payments. These methods, increasingly used on platforms like JustEat and Ryanair, involve selecting a bank and authenticating via biometrics, but function as bank transfers, which do not provide protections like chargeback rights or Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Section 75 allows credit card users to claim refunds for faulty goods or services. A KPMG UK survey found that over two-thirds of respondents with recent payment issues were more inclined to carry cash, with 22% having experienced such problems.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Ask Jerry: What can I do about dishonest app developers?

Red Sky Labs has altered its business model, raising concerns about the integrity of promises made to consumers who invested in lifetime services. This change violates consumer protection laws and platform guidelines. Many consumers feel discouraged about pursuing small claims, such as five dollars, despite the principle of accountability. The cumulative effect of small grievances can lead to significant losses. Red Sky Labs has over 100 million downloads on Google Play, highlighting its influence. Consumers are encouraged to report issues, utilize social media for support, and engage with tech publications to raise awareness.

Winsage

November 29, 2024

Breach Roundup: Microsoft Tries Again With Windows Recall

Microsoft has unveiled a preview of its Windows Recall feature, designed to capture screenshots of active windows using on-device AI and store them in an SQLite database. The feature will be opt-in and requires users to enable BitLocker full-disk encryption, activate Secure Boot, and enroll in Windows Hello. Recall aims to avoid capturing sensitive information and allows users to delete snapshots or exclude specific applications. Microsoft has implemented safeguards to protect against brute-force attacks, and the data collected remains encrypted locally. The preview is currently available to participants in the Windows Insider Program for Developers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that nearly 90% of smart device manufacturers lack clear update policies, with 161 out of 184 products reviewed not disclosing software update durations. This lack of transparency may violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the FTC Act. Ping Li, a Florida IT professional, was sentenced to four years in prison for acting as an agent for China's Ministry of State Security, providing sensitive information since at least 2012. He pleaded guilty and was fined ,000. Operation "Serengeti" led to the arrest of over 1,000 individuals suspected of cybercrime across 19 African countries, resulting in nearly million in financial losses and the confiscation of around million in stolen funds. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted nine individuals linked to a multi-state money laundering scheme associated with internet fraud, allegedly laundering over million since 2016. NVIDIA released a critical firmware update to address a high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2024-0130) that could allow attackers to steal data and compromise systems. Cybersecurity firm McAfee discovered "spyloan" Android apps on the Google Play Store that aim to steal users' personal data, targeting users in Mexico, Colombia, and Indonesia. An international law enforcement operation dismantled a pirate streaming network serving over 22 million users and generating approximately million monthly, resulting in 102 arrests. Nicholas Michael Kloster, a 31-year-old from Kansas City, was indicted for allegedly hacking into computer networks to promote his cybersecurity services, facing multiple charges with a potential 15-year prison sentence. HDFC Life Insurance in India is investigating a potential data breach involving the sharing of certain data fields with malicious intent.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

FTC requires subscriptions be as easy to cancel as they are to start

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has mandated that companies offering subscription services must simplify the cancellation process by implementing a 'click to cancel' policy. Businesses are required to make subscription information easily accessible and understandable, ensuring customers know the terms when signing up. This initiative is part of the FTC's review of the 1973 Negative Option Rule. Companies that do not comply may face redress and civil penalties.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Valve now warns Steam consumers they are buying license not game

Valve has implemented a new warning for Steam users stating that purchasing a game grants a license to access it, not ownership. This change is in response to California's upcoming legislation, AB 2426, effective in 2025, which aims to clarify the terms of digital purchases. The legislation addresses concerns about consumers losing access to purchased digital items and seeks to enhance consumer protections in the digital marketplace.

AppWizard

July 15, 2024

FTC Cracks Down On NGL Messaging App Over Alleged Stealth Marketing, AI Falsehoods

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against NGL Labs, a California-based company, for unfairly marketing to minors, overstating its efforts to protect users from cyberbullying, sending fake messages to trick users into signing up for paid subscriptions, violating laws around collecting personal data of children under 13, and failing to comply with COPPA privacy protections.

Winsage

July 15, 2024

Copilot+ PCs explained: AI Windows meets Arm laptops

Microsoft has introduced new Windows and Surface devices with Arm architecture, focusing on AI and Copilot functions. The new devices cost between ,000 and ,000 and are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors. Microsoft and other manufacturers will release 16 new AI notebooks with Snapdragon X CPUs in the coming weeks. Windows on Arm will be released as version 24H2, while the traditional Windows 11 version will follow in the autumn. The new features include improved energy and quick settings, support for Wi-Fi 7, and the integration of the PC Manager optimization tool. AI tasks will be executed locally on the device for faster performance, but the Recall feature has been withdrawn following protests. Other AI-supported programs, such as Paint and Adobe software, will benefit from the integrated Neural Processing Unit.