FTC looking at rules to corral tech firms’ data collection
Federal regulators are looking at drafting rules to crack down on what they call harmful commercial surveillance and lax data security.
Regulation
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Report: Uber lobbied, used ‘stealth’ tech to block scrutiny
As Uber aggressively pushed into markets around the world, the ride-sharing service used a “kill switch” to thwart regulators and law enforcement, and channeled money through Bermuda and other tax havens, according to a report released Sunday.
Juul, FDA suspend court case while e-cigarette ban on hold
The agreement comes one day after the FDA placed a hold on its initial order banning Juul’s products from the market, saying that Juul’s application warranted “additional review.”
Buttigieg: U.S. might act against airlines on consumers’ behalf
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his department could take enforcement action against airlines that fail to meet consumer-protection standards, although he thinks that won’t be necessary.
EPA: ‘Forever chemicals’ pose risk even at very low levels
The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected.
Anti-discriminatory bank law getting update for modern era
The three major U.S. banking regulators said Thursday they a plan to rewrite much of the outdated regulations tied to a decades-old banking law designed to encourage lending to the poor and racial minorities in the areas where banks have branches.
Crypto industry would get its preferred regulator under new bill
A new bipartisan proposal would give the rapidly-expanding sector a victory by handing authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, seen by the industry as a more benevolent regulator.
Tougher federal environmental review for big projects to be restored
A rule finalized Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals.
Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule, for now
The justices agreed to halt a lower court judge’s order throwing out the rule and sending it back to the Environmental Protection Agency. Four justices said they disagreed with the decision.
EPA rule would finally ban asbestos
The American Chemistry Council, a lobbying group for the chemical industry, slammed the EPA proposal, saying it could cause substantial harm to America’s drinking water supply by reducing the domestic supply of chlorine.
U.S. agency opens probe into electric vehicle batteries
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the probe covers more than 138,000 vehicles with batteries made by LG Energy Solution of South Korea and used by General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen.
Fed’s Powell: Digital currencies will require new regulations
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said new forms of digital money such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins present risks to the U.S. financial system and will need new rules to protect consumers.
New corporate climate change disclosures proposed by SEC
The required disclosures would include greenhouse gas emissions produced by companies directly or indirectly—such as from consumption of the company’s products, vehicles used to transport products, business travel and energy used to grow raw materials.
Biden executive order on cryptocurrency expected this week
President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order on cryptocurrency this week that will mark the first step toward regulating how digital currency is traded.
UPDATE: Justices wrestle with EPA power to curb carbon emissions
The justices, in arguments Monday, are taking up an appeal from 19 mostly Republican-led states and coal companies over the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
Indiana steel mill agrees to pay $3M, improve waste system
The agreement comes more than two years after a discharge of ammonia and toxic chemicals killed thousands of fish and closed Lake Michigan beaches, the federal government said Monday.
Biden begins crackdown on power plant pollution
The White House is aiming to shift the nation’s electricity supply to cleaner energy in the face of congressional resistance and a Supreme Court that could limit the federal government’s ability to tighten public health standards.
U.S. regulators aiming at illegal and anticompetitive mergers
The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are seeking public comment on how merger guidelines can be updated to better detect and prevent illegal and anticompetitive deals in an increasingly consolidating corporate marketplace.
Treasury proposes new disclosure rule to fight corruption
The proposed new rule would require companies to identify who owns and controls them, rather than the names of the people who formed the company.
Federal court blocks drug pricing enforcement action against Lilly
The ruling from Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker also hinted that Congress needs to address the problems with the 340B Drug Pricing Program.