Mobilicity, one of the new wireless entrants, has issued a stinging release criticizing the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association over its response to the Manitoba consultation on consumer protection for wireless users. The release includes: “We deeply disagree with the CWTA’s disregard for the need for more consumer protection not only […]
Post Tagged with: "consumer protection"
Manitoba Launches Consultation on Cell Phone Contracts
The Government of Manitoba’s Consumer Protection Office has launched a consultation on consumer cellphone contracts that includes questions on locked phones, early termination of service, and disclosure issues.
EU Establishes Requirement To Stop Surprise Wireless Bills
The EU has established a new requirement to prevent surprise wireless bills, allows consumers to require cut offs after roaming bills reach certain levels.
61 Reforms to C-61, Day 39: TPMs – No DRM Labelling Requirement
Supporters of anti-circumvention legislation often dismiss consumer concerns by arguing that "if you don't like DRM, don't buy the product." In other words, no one is forcing anyone to buy products with DRM. Leaving aside the fact that this may not be true – students may increasingly find that they are required to buy electronic texts for their courses that come in DRM-only packages – consumers often don't know that they are buying products with technological restrictions. Most consumers know little if anything about DRMs and the limitations that may be placed on consumer entertainment products such as CDs, DVDs, video games, or digital download services. While there may some limited disclosures – DVDs indicate the region code, if your eyesight is good enough you might notice that some copy-controlled CDs warn on the back corner that they may not play on all computers, and digital download services all feature lengthy user agreements that few consumers will ever read – they are plainly insufficient and the government should not support the legal fiction that "informed" consumers are knowingly purchasing products that contain a host of limitations.
Sony Hit With Privacy and Consumer Protection Complaints
As Sony seeks court approval of its class action settlement today (word is that the judge took note of the objections to the settlement and asked the parties to go back and try to address the concerns, likely leading to some modest amendments), CIPPIC has filed an avalanche of complaints […]