Man's spine broken after alleged dispute over car sold on Facebook
By Mark Rigby
Police allege a 52-year-old was pushed through a balcony on the Gold Coast during an argument about a car he sold on an online marketplace.
'Ethical internet' founder suspends customer refunds in crisis meeting
By Alex Turner-Cohen
Embattled startup Lightweb suspends refunds to customers indefinitely, in the wake ABC reporting on its founder's identity.
'Trillions at stake' as Optus sued for alleged data failures
By Stephanie Chalmers and Rhiana Whitson
Optus could face another hefty penalty, as the privacy watchdog sues the telco over the 2022 cyber attack that exposed the data of around 9.5 million Australians.
Identity of Australian behind 'ethical' internet horrifies customers
By Alex Turner-Cohen
As many as 2,000 people lined up to give this man their money — and then they learned his true identity.
'I don't want anyone to suffer like I have': More claims against artificial eye maker
By Fiona Blackwood
The work of artificial eye maker Jack McDnald is again in question after more people come forward complaining about the eyes he has made for them.
Shein hype dominates social media, but in Europe the firm's accused of greenwashing
By Daniela Pizzirani
Behind the TikTok hauls to Insta-ready aesthetic, a backlash is brewing, and Italy and France are leading the way.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-05/france-and-italy-out-shein-amid-haul-culture/105612404
Who is eligible for a share of $60 million in bank refunds?
By Elissa Steedman
More than 800,000 banking customers are eligible for refunds totalling $60 million. Here's what to know about the refunds and whether you're eligible.
'Chief author Rep. Steve Elkins, DFL-Bloomington, said it’s time for more oversight on the troves of personal information consumers provide to businesses, knowingly or not. That includes data harvested by seemingly free applications like weather apps, which may sell the information to turn a profit. …
'“If you got turned down for an apartment or for a favorable insurance rate or a job and the company is just telling you, ‘Sorry I can’t tell you that’ — now, they have a responsibility to tell you,“ he said.'
https://www.startribune.com/law-taking-effect-this-week-empowers-minnesotans-to-request-delete-personal-consumer-data/601394237?utm_source=gift
The European Commission finds Temu in breach of EU online platform rules.
The European Commission said on Monday that Chinese e-commerce platform Temu is in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for not properly assessing the risks of illegal products it sells on its website.
The preliminary findings come after the Commission opened an investigation into Temu under the DSA in October last year.
Uber drivers creating artificial surge prices
By April McLennan
Some Uber riders are pay up to three times the cost of their trip, with reports of drivers manipulating the system to make more money.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-29/uber-drivers-creating-artificial-surge-prices/105582350
Webjet fined $9 million for misleading airfares
By Liana Walker
Webjet has agreed to pay a $9 million fine for making false or misleading statements about the price of flights and booking confirmations.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-28/webjet-fined-9-million-for-misleading-airfare-costs/105583020
IVF giant Genea confirms sensitive patient health information on dark web
By Rhiana Whitson
Genea has confirmed sensitive medical information from IVF patients was stolen and published on the dark web following a cyber attack. Affected patients are demanding accountability.
Warnings the superannuation system fails First Nations Australians
By Adelaide Miller
Research by consumer advocates has found discriminatory policies and rigid regulatory design prevent many First Nations people from accessing their own superannuation, years after the issue was highlighted at the banking royal commission.
Temu's big Aussie ad spend since US tariffs prompts new safety fears
By James Taylor
Analysts say Temu has more than doubled its monthly Australian ad spend in response to heavy US import tariffs, prompting fears of a new deluge of unsafe products after a girl was burnt when a jumper bought on the site caught alight last year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-21/temu-doubles-advertising-spend-in-australia/105547184
Qantas travellers' stranding in outback illegal in Europe, says expert
By Maddie Nixon
Passengers abandoned mid-flight in the outback highlight that Australian flyers have few rights.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-18/qantas-outback-flight-apology-aviation-consumer-law/105541236
Advice from the #CFPB helped me to beat a bad debt that wasn't mine in court (I was my own lawyer). Armed with pertinent questions for the debt owner, I was able to prove that it wasn't my debt. But I wouldn't have been able to do it without that information (not without hiring a lawyer, which could end up costing more than the debt)!
Workers at the CFPB watch hopelessly as the GOP undoes their work
By KEN SWEET
Updated 7:27 AM EDT, July 15, 2025
NEW YORK (AP) — "The lights are on at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau across the street from the White House, and employees still get paid. But, in practice, the bureau has been mostly inoperable for nearly six months. CFPB employees say they essentially spend the workday sitting on their hands, forbidden from doing any work by directive from the White House.
"The bureau is supposed to be helping oversee the nation’s banks and financial services companies and taking enforcement action in case of #wrongdoing. Instead, the situation is Kafkaesque: the main function seems to be undoing the #rulemaking and law enforcement work that was done under previous administrations, including in President Donald Trump’s first term.
"American consumers can no longer look to the bureau for help when it comes to their checking account, credit card, #PaydayLoan, auto loan or #mortgage. Trump has neutered the watchdog, employees say, the culmination of a yearslong effort by Republicans who felt the agency often went overboard in its efforts."
"More than half of all green claims that companies put on products in Europe are vague, exaggerated, or just plain false.
A new European law was supposed to stop this greenwashing. It would have forced companies to prove their environmental claims — with independent checks and real penalties for lying.
But two weeks ago, just before the final round of talks, the European Commission suddenly pulled the plug on this law — after pressure from conservative and far-right politicians who want to destroy all the environmental laws we fought hard for. ... If thousands of citizens add their voices to this outrage, while the European Commission is divided, our leaders will not be able to quietly kill the law. Let’s force them to restart the talks and pass a law that holds companies accountable for scam green promises."
https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-07-antigreenwashing-directive-petition-EN/
#petition #ConsumerProtection #EU
#Shein was fined €40 million by French authorities on Thursday after an investigation found the Chinese fast-fashion giant had misled #consumers about its discounts and environmental impact. 
Associated Press: More refunds are being sent to Fortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases. How you can apply. “The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is sending out the latest round of refunds to consumers it says were ‘tricked’ into purchases they didn’t want from Fortnite maker Epic Games—and eligible players who haven’t been compensated yet still have time to apply.”
