Oregon is one of 17 states to join the Federal Trade Commission in its lawsuit to break up the online retail giant Amazon.
The FTC has brought an antitrust suit against the marketplace behemoth, charging the company with illegally maintaining a monopoly.
Ron Knox, senior researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, said half of online sales happen through Amazon’s website, meaning small businesses have to play by Amazon’s rules if they want to reach potential customers.
“What Amazon is accused of doing is essentially abusing and ripping off those small businesses, those third-party sellers that have to be on Amazon.com in order to reach the customers,” Knox asserted. “It does that through these ever-increasing and often exorbitant fees that it charges.”
Knox pointed out Amazon also stipulates third-party sellers cannot sell their products for less than what they sell on Amazon’s website, which leads many people to buy through Amazon, especially if they have free shipping through its “Amazon Prime” membership. The company countered if the lawsuit succeeds, it would actually hurt consumers by leading to increased prices and slower shipping.
Knox noted the FTC is using a straightforward application of antitrust laws in this suit.
“It says, ‘You can’t have a monopoly and use illegal and illicit tactics to maintain or grow that monopoly power. You have to let other people compete,'” Knox explained. “What the FTC is saying is that Amazon, through its actions, is not doing that.”
Knox believes if courts rule in favor of the FTC and the 17 states in the lawsuit, consumers will see the difference.
“When they see the lower prices, when they see new marketplaces entering, when they have different and innovative ways to ship their goods — to get goods shipped to their house, and the small businesses can respond to that need — I think it’s going to make for a better marketplace,” Knox stressed.
This story was produced with original reporting from Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes! Magazine.
get more stories like this via email
Artificial intelligence is growing quickly, so companies such as Google, Amazon, Verizon, Microsoft and more have come together to establish best practices in the field.
They seek to foster responsible governance, prioritizing privacy, accountability and benefit to society.
Miriam Vogel, president and CEO of the nonprofit Equal AI, just published a report laying out the standards, in a bid to build trust in the AI system.
“This work is not just the right thing to do, it’s actually good business as well,” Vogel contended. “It is a competitive advantage for a company to follow the framework because the end result is building trust in their AI systems. It’s building trust with their employees. It’s building trust with their consumers.”
AI is a machine-based system capable of leveraging huge data sets to make predictions or decisions, and is behind such technology as the Alexa personal assistant, autonomous vehicles and ChatGPT. The new standards seek to ensure AI tech is safe, inclusive and effective for all possible end users.
Vogel noted while many current laws govern AI, more regulation is likely going forward. And companies cannot wait for the dust to settle as they forge ahead.
“This framework is intended to help people understand what they need to do now to make sure that they are not creating any unintentional harm,” Vogel outlined. “That they’re not inviting liability, either in litigation, prosecution, or above-the-fold terrible headlines.”
The framework is divided into six main categories: Responsible AI values and principles, accountability, documentation, defined processes, multi-stakeholder reviews, and metrics to monitor progress.
get more stories like this via email
Groups that fight for consumers and auto safety are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto a bill that they say would make it harder for Californians who allege fraud or get stuck with a “lemon” vehicle to prove their case. Senate Bill 71 raises the limit from $25,000 to $35,000 to avoid being moved to limited civil court – where the discovery process and the number of depositions are limited.
Michael Brooks, executive director, Center for Auto Safety, contends this change would put people who buy mid-range vehicles at a disadvantage.
“What they’re doing is raising the limit to $35,000,” he said. “And then, everyone under that bar is going to find it much more difficult to succeed when they have a defective vehicle that qualifies as a lemon.”
The bill is supported by debt collectors and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the auto industry. The Alliance, in a letter to lawmakers, said the change would, quote, “benefit consumers and the auto industry by reducing litigation costs and accelerating case timelines in lemon law cases.”
Brooks said that line of argument does not hold water.
“It’s being passed off as a bill that’s somehow going to simplify the process for consumers, but what it actually is going to do is limit their ability to prove their case,” Brooks implored.
In limited civil court, the time period for filing appeals is shortened to 30 days, and there is a cap on damages that a judge or jury can award. The bill would also raise the limit in small claims court from $10,000 to $12,500.
get more stories like this via email
Fraud prevention experts are getting the word out in Idaho on how to avoid scams.
Events across the state in October aim to help people identify and protect themselves from thieves.
Cathy McDougall, director of outreach for AARP Idaho, said if you suspect someone of a con, it is best not to engage with them.
“It’s better to be rude and hang up than be robbed from them,” McDougall recommended. “Don’t respond to suspicious emails from people that you did not initiate contact.”
AARP Idaho is hosting an event alongside the Idaho Department of Finance and Idaho Commission on Aging. The first is in Twin Falls on Tuesday. Fraud prevention events will be in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, Coeur d’Alene on Friday and Garden City on Oct. 30.
McDougall noted cons have been around for a long time because they work. She pointed out one scam prevalent in Idaho is the romance scam. McDougall advised people not to send their money to suspicious places or people.
“That’s always a red flag,” McDougall cautioned. “If you’re thinking you’re in a relationship with someone and they’re asking for you to invest in a cryptocurrency website.”
McDougall added if someone is scammed, it is important to report it as quickly as possible.
“There’s a very small window of time that law enforcement can actually take steps to try to recover your money,” McDougall stressed. “Because after usually around 48 hours, they’re just going to be gone.”
Disclosure: AARP Idaho contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Health Issues, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
get more stories like this via email
