Current Events in May 2018

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    Eddy Packing Co., Inc. recalls certain smoked sausage products

    The sausages may contain pieces of hard plastic

    A Texas-based packing company is recalling nearly 50,000 pounds of smoked sausages because the products may be contaminated with foreign matter that could be harmful to consumers if ingested. 

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Eddy Packing Co., Inc. is recalling the sausage products because they may contain pieces of hard plastic. The items were processed on April 5, 2018 and have packing dates of April 5-6, 2018. The list of products include:

    • 2.5-lb. vacuum-packed packages containing “Eddy FULLY COOKED PREMIUM SMOKED SAUSAGE” with sell-by date 6/29/2018, case code PU1642 and lot code 8095.
    • 2.5-lb. vacuum-packed packages containing “Eddy FULLY COOKED PREMIUM SMOKED SAUSAGE” with sell-by date 6/30/2018, case code PU1663 and lot code 8096.
    • 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages containing “DICKEY’S BARBEQUE PIT ORIGINAL SMOKED FRESH POLISH SAUSAGE MADE WITH PORK AND BEEF” with sell-by date 6/10/2018, case code PU1656 and lot code 8096.
    • 40-oz. vacuum-packed packages containing “LOWE’S ORIGINAL RECIPE NATURALLY HARDWOOD SMOKED SAUSAGE MADE WITH PORK AND BEEF” with sell-by date 6/29/2018, case code PU1644 and lot code 8095.
    • 10-lb. cases containing “Eddy SMOKED SAUSAGE MADE WITH PORK AND BEEF” with sell-by date 4/6/2019, case code PU1658 and lot code 8096.
    • 30-lb. cases containing “CARL’S PORK AND BEEF SMOKED SAUSAGE” with sell-by date 4/6/2019, case code PU1660 and lot code 8096.
    • 10-lb. cases containing “Eddy SOUTHERN STYLE PORK AND BEEF SMOKED SAUSAGE” with sell-by date 4/6/2019, case code PU1659 and lot code 8096.
    • 20-lb cases with four 5-lb. vacuum-packed packages containing “DICKEY CHEESE/JALAPENO PORK AND BEEF SAUSAGE RING” with sell-by date 4/6/2019, case code PU1655 and lot code 8096.

    The recalled products all bear an establishment number of "EST. 4800" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

    No adverse events reported

    The recall was initiated after the company received complaints from restaurants that pieces of hard, white plastic were found in the sausages when they were being sliced. The products were shipped to retailers in California, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

    Thus far, there have been no reports of injuries or adverse reactions, and FSIS has received no indication of injury or illness related to the recall. The agency has expressed concern that affected products may be stored in freezers; it is urging consumers to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

    A Texas-based packing company is recalling nearly 50,000 pounds of smoked sausages because the products may be contaminated with foreign matter that could...

    Former top VW executives indicted in diesel scandal

    The company’s previous CEO and five others have been accused of conspiracy and wire fraud

    A federal grand jury has indicted former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, and five other former VW executives, on charges related to the carmaker's diesel emissions cheating scandal.

    The criminal charges include conspiracy and wire fraud relating to VW's installation of software in its diesel powered cars that reduced emissions to acceptable levels only when it detected the car was being tested. The rest of the time, the emissions were found to be up to 40 times the legal limit.

    The indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Michigan. It accuses Winterkorn and other senior executives with trying to defraud the United States, defraud VW’s U.S. customers, and violate the Clean Air Act by making false claims to regulators and the public about the company's “clean diesel” vehicles.

    Pay a heavy price

    “If you try to deceive the United States, then you will pay a heavy price,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He notes the indictment is especially serious because it charges that Volkswagen's plan to mislead regulators and consumers went all the way to the top.

    “These are serious allegations, and we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law,” Sessions said.

    The scandal became public nearly three years ago when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that about a half million Volkswagens equipped with diesel engines had been found with on-board software to defeat pollution controls. Those controls reduced the amount of emissions but significantly reduced performance and fuel efficiency.

    At the time, VW was competing with hybrid models by claiming its TDI engines were nearly as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly as hybrids.

    The scandal deepened weeks later after the EPA said the defeat software was present on a much wider range of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles.

    Costly for Volkswagen

    The scandal proved costly for Volkswagen, which suspended sales of all diesel vehicles in the U.S., paid multi-million dollar fines to regulators, bought back millions of affected cars, and faced lawsuits from angry dealers and consumers.

    It also led to a change in the company's business plan. In June 2016, Volkswagen announced a major commitment to producing electric cars by promising to introduce 30 electric models by 2025 as it phases out diesel vehicles altogether.

    In March 2017, Volkswagen – as a corporation – pleaded guilty to criminal charges that it deceived U.S. and state regulators by installing so-called defeat devices in diesel vehicles emissions control systems that were designed to cheat emissions tests.

    In a statement to the media, Volkswagen said it continues to cooperate with investigators but declined to comment on the individual indictments.

    A federal grand jury has indicted former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, and five other former VW executives, on charges related to the carmaker's diesel...

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      Walmart triumphs over Amazon in battle to acquire Flipkart

      The deal would put Walmart in a leading position in India

      India’s largest e-commerce platform Flipkart has approved an agreement to sell roughly 75 percent of its stake in the Walmart group, which also includes Google parent Alphabet, Bloomberg reported Friday.

      The report states that Japan’s SoftBank will also sell its stake in Flipkart, which is 20-plus percent. The agreement would give Flipkart, a company founded by former Amazon employees, a value of around $20 billion.

      Experts predict that details of the deal will be ironed out in the coming days and the two sides could come to a final agreement within the next two weeks.

      Blow to Amazon

      If finalized, the deal would be a big win for Walmart in its ongoing retail war with Amazon.

      Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been trying to take control of Flipkart with a competing offer, but Flipkart’s board reportedly believes a deal with Walmart is more likely to go through. Regulatory hurdles could ensue in an Amazon-Flipkart deal since Amazon is India’s No. 2 online retailer and Flipkart’s primary competitor.

      Flipkart and its fashion units Myntra and Jabong control almost 40 percent of India’s online retail market. Amazon follows closely behind with a 31 percent share, according to data from research firm Forrester.

      A majority stake in Flipkart would put Walmart in a leading position in India -- a rapidly growing market which is currently viewed as “the next big potential prize after the U.S. and China, where foreign retailers have made little progress against Alibaba Group Holding Ltd,” the report noted.

      The market of 1.3 billion people is expected to be worth $200 billion within a decade.

      “Flipkart is key to a global e-commerce strategy,” Arvind Singhal, chairman of the New Delhi-based retail consultancy Technopak Advisors told Bloomberg. “Walmart clearly doesn’t want to be left behind in the race as India is a critical piece.”

      India’s largest e-commerce platform Flipkart has approved an agreement to sell roughly 75 percent of its stake in the Walmart group, which also includes Go...

      Albertsons sued for allegedly barring Hispanic employees from speaking Spanish

      The company says it has no such policy

      The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed suit against Albertsons supermarkets in federal court, claiming it implemented policies at its San Diego stores that discriminate against Hispanic employees.

      Specifically, the suit alleges that Albertsons does not allow employees to speak Spanish when a non-Spanish-speaking customer is within earshot. The suit alleges that constitutes harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.

      Albertsons has not yet responded to a ConsumerAffairs request for comment, but a spokesperson told the San Diego Union that the store does not require employees to only speak English.

      Company responds

      “Albertsons serves a diverse customer population and encourages employees with foreign language abilities to use those skills to serve its customers,” spokeswoman Jenna Watkinson told the newspaper.

      But the lawsuit charges that beginning around 2012, the supermarket chain told Hispanic employees not to speak Spanish around non-Spanish speakers, including when they spoke to Spanish-speaking customers and during breaks.

      The suit also alleges store managers at San Diego-area stores publicly reprimanded Hispanic employees when they heard them speaking Spanish. The EEOC also contends that no corrective action was taken, despite numerous employee complaints, forcing some employees to transfer.

      Violation of the Civil Rights Act alleged

      According to the EEOC, the alleged policy represents a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit seeks injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages for affected Albertsons employees.

      "Employers have to be aware of the consequences of certain language policies," said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC's Los Angeles District Office, which includes San Diego County in its jurisdiction. "Targeting a particular language for censorship is often synonymous with targeting a particular national origin, which is both illegal and highly destructive to workplace morale and productivity."

      Albertsons is one the nation's largest grocery chains, operating under 19 trade names, including Albertsons, Vons, Safeway, and Pavilions. The company employs approximately 280,000 people in 35 states.

      The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed suit against Albertsons supermarkets in federal court, claiming it implemented policies at its...

      Instagram is testing a new payments feature

      The feature would let users shop from within the app

      Instagram is testing a new feature that lets users add their payment information and make purchases right from Instagram, TechCrunch reports.

      Users can add a credit or debit card and a pin for additional security. Once the initial setup is complete, the tool can be used to make purchases from within the platform.

      The feature is currently undergoing a trial with select users. Those who have the feature will find it under “payment settings” in their profile settings.

      In addition to letting users make purchases without leaving the app, users are able to book appointments at a limited number of spas and restaurants through a third-party integration with dinner reservation app Resy. Instagram says the tool could eventually be used for a range of services, such as booking tickets to movies and events.

      Faster shopping on Instagram

      In March 2017, the photo-sharing platform announced that it planned to give business profiles the option to let users book services. At the time, Instagram didn’t say anything about native payments.

      The company said the feature would be launched later in 2017, but no such feature was unveiled by the end of the year. The feature seems to be coming a little later than expected, but it appears to finally be rolling out in a trial version.

      The ability to shop from within the app would change the way users currently make purchases through the platform, which is by relying on third parties to complete the transaction. Faster and easier shopping would benefit Instagram and brands alike, since users would stay on the app for longer and also be less likely to quit on their way to checkout while filling in their payment info.

      The terms of service for the new feature state that the Instagram payment system is backed by Facebook’s Payments rules, according to TechCrunch.

      Instagram hasn’t said when it will launch the new feature internationally.

      Instagram is testing a new feature that lets users add their payment information and make purchases right from Instagram, TechCrunch reports. Users can...

      Twitter users urged to change their passwords

      The company says a glitch caused user passwords to be stored in unmasked form

      Twitter is urging its 330 million users to change their passwords right away after it accidentally “unmasked” user passwords by storing them in an unencrypted format in an internal log file.

      The company says it has since resolved the mistake and that an internal investigation revealed no indication that passwords were stolen or misused. However, users are still being urged to change their password as a precaution.

      "We recently found a bug that stored passwords unmasked in an internal log," stated a tweet from the official Twitter Support account. "We fixed the bug and have no indication of a breach or misuse by anyone. As a precaution, consider changing your password on all services where you’ve used this password."

      Issue in the hashing process

      The platform explained in a blog post that Twitter “hashes” passwords using the Bcrypt hashing algorithm, but the glitch caused passwords to be written on an internal computer log before the scrambling process was completed.

      "We found this error ourselves, removed the passwords, and are implementing plans to prevent this bug from happening again,” Twitter said.

      Users are advised to change their passwords on Twitter and anywhere else they use their Twitter passwords, including third-party apps like TweetDeck or Tweeterrific. The replacement password should be strong and unique. The company also recommends enabling two factor authentication and using a password manager.

      Twitter didn’t say how many user passwords may have been exposed or how long the bug lasted. However, a person familiar with the company’s response told Reuters the number was “substantial” and that passwords were exposed for “several months."

      Twitter is urging its 330 million users to change their passwords right away after it accidentally “unmasked” user passwords by storing them in an unencryp...

      Google’s all-in efforts on Google Assistant start to pay off

      ‘Ok, Google’ now connects consumers to more than 5,000 devices

      Life is getting a little easier for Google aficionados, and the tech giant likes it that way. The connections the company’s Google Assistant can make has grown to more than 5,000 devices ranging from doorbells to thermostats.

      Google Assistant comes in two forms -- a smartphone app and Google Home, a smart speaker. Both are voice-controlled and the smartphone app can control any connected device from anywhere in the world.

      The company is creating partnerships and new home automation touchpoints at breakneck speed. Since January, Google Assistant has added 3,500 devices to its connectivity database. Google recently announced new deals with IKEA, Hunter Douglas, ADT, and LG that will extend Assistant’s reach to air purifiers, security cameras, and window treatments.

      Something for everyone

      "Android users are all around the world, so from the start, our goal has been to bring the Assistant to as many people, languages, and locations as possible,” Google VP of product Nick Fox wrote in a blog post. "The Assistant is already available in eight languages, and by the end of the year it will be available in more than 30 languages, reaching 95 percent of all eligible Android phones worldwide."

      Google Assistant is trying to cover every possible situation, too, and it’s constantly adding to its index of one million actions.

      If the children want to hear a classic tale like "Sleeping Beauty," all they have to say is "Hey Google, tell me a story." Come Mother’s Day, those who want to entertain mom with a heartwarming interview between moms and their children need only say "Hey Google, tell me a story about motherhood.”

      There’s also good news for the 10 million Wear OS smartwatch users. “Smart suggestions” are on tap for later this year, enabling wearers to ask Google Assistant a question and have it populate contextual, follow-up questions automatically. For example, if you asked about the weather conditions in a city you’re driving to, Google Assistant is on-call with regular updates, along with any associated news like weather-related closings.

      At the retail level, Google launched a program last month that allows users to purchase items through Google Assistant and shopping ads in Search results.

      Happy to ask for help

      To keep Assistant’s blood pumping, Google is kickstarting an investment program for early-stage startups that can create new ideas for Assistant and advance its potential. Google is making venture capital, cloud space, tools, and promotional support freely available to developers who share their vision.

      Google’s investments are already starting to pay off. Take GoMoment, a company that built "Ivy," a 24/7 hotel concierge of sorts that can answer questions like "Is there a happy hour at the bar tonight?" Ivy is now in place at hotels like Hard Rock and Caesars Palace.

      Then, there’s "Edwin" -- a personal English tutor that helps students trying to master a foreign language. Edwin brings together artificial intelligence and English instructors so every step along the way is structured to meet a student’s needs, pace, and learning style.

      Life is getting a little easier for Google aficionados, and the tech giant likes it that way. The connections the company’s Google Assistant can make has g...

      Unemployment drops to 3.9 percent in April

      A tightening labor market hasn’t boosted wages all that much

      The U.S. economy added 164,000 non-farm jobs in April, enough to lower the unemployment rate to 3.9 percent, the lowest since 2000.

      The unemployment rate among African Americans dropped to 6.6 percent, the lowest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking it in 1972.

      The number of people who lost jobs, or completed temporary jobs, declined by 188,000.

      At first glance, it would appear that the labor market is tightening and giving workers a little more leverage with their employers. However, that has failed to translate into higher wages, at least in a meaningful way.

      Average hourly earnings for all employees rose a modest four cents to $26.84. Year-over-year, wages were up 67 cents, or 2.6 percent.

      Where the jobs are

      The creation of 164,000 new jobs was a smaller-than-expected number, but it was larger than March's revised estimate of 135,000 new jobs. Most of last month's job gains came in professional and business services, manufacturing, healthcare, and mining.

      Professional and business services added 54,000 jobs in April. Over the last 12 months, that sector has expanded by 518,000 jobs.

      Manufacturing added 24,000 jobs last month, with most of the additions coming at factories producing durable goods. Manufacturing jobs have expanded by 245,000 in the last 12 months.

      Healthcare continues to hire more people, adding 24,000 jobs last month and 305,000 over the last year.

      Other major industries -- including construction, wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and government -- saw little change from March.

      Some still left out

      The improvement in the job market didn't help everyone, however. The number of people classified as long-term unemployed – out of work for 27 weeks or longer – remained essentially unchanged at 1.3 million. They account for 20 percent of people out of work.

      The number of people with part-time jobs, but who preferred full-time jobs, totaled 5 million, about the same as the previous month.

      The labor force participation rate – a measure of the adult population that was working – was 62.8 percent. That's just slightly below the 68-year average of 63 percent.

      The U.S. economy added 164,000 non-farm jobs in April, enough to lower the unemployment rate to 3.9 percent, the lowest since 2000.The unemployment rat...

      BMW recalls various vehicles with cooling issue

      The electric auxiliary water pump may fail

      BMW of North America is recalling 47,806 model year 2011-2012 BMW 550is, 550i xDrives, 550i Gran Turismos, 550i Gran Turismo xDrives, 750is, 750Lis, 750i xDrives, 750Li xDrives, 760Lis, X5 xDrive50is, X5 Ms, X6 xDrive50is, X6 Ms, ActiveHybrid7s, MINI Cooper S Convertibles, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertibles, Cooper S Countrymans, Cooper S Countryman ALL4s, Cooper S vehicles, JCW, Cooper S Clubmans, JCW Clubmans, Cooper S Roadsters, JCW Roadsters, Cooper S Coupes, JCW Coupes, Rolls-Royce Ghosts, BMW X6 Hybrids, and model year 2012 BMW 650i Coupes, 650i xDrive Coupes, 650i Convertibles and 650i xDrive Convertibles.

      The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

      What to do

      BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge.

      Parts are not currently available. The automaker recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

      Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available.

      Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.

      BMW of North America is recalling 47,806 model year 2011-2012 BMW 550is, 550i xDrives, 550i Gran Turismos, 550i Gran Turismo xDrives, 750is, 750Lis, 750i x...

      Cracked window causes Southwest Airlines jet to make unscheduled landing

      The airline says no one was hurt on the Chicago to Newark flight

      Southwest Airlines flight 957 made an unscheduled landing in Cleveland Wednesday after a window in the passenger cabin cracked.

      The flight, from Chicago to Newark, landed safely. The airline said there were no injuries and stressed that it was an “unscheduled” stop and not and “emergency” landing.

      “There are multiple layers of panes in each aircraft window,” Southwest said in a statement. “No emergency landing was declared. The aircraft maintained pressurization, and the flight landed uneventfully in Cleveland.”

      The incident comes nearly two weeks after Southwest Flight 1380 lost a window when the left engine exploded, shattering one of the Boeing 737's windows with debris. The plane lost pressurization and the passenger sitting next to the window died when she was nearly sucked from the plane.

      The jetliner landed safely in Philadelphia, piloted by 56-year old navy veteran Tammi Jo Shults, who won praise for her professionalism, skill, and calm demeanor.

      Passengers react with fear

      According to passenger Tweets posted by DansDeals, passengers sitting near the cracked window on flight 957 left their seats in fear. The airline said the unscheduled landing was made out of an abundance of caution.

      “The aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance review, and our local Cleveland employees worked diligently to accommodate the 81 Customers on a new aircraft to Newark,” the airline said.

      Southwest has not said what it thinks caused the window to crack. It said there appeared to be no problems with either of the two engines.

      Last month's fatal accident was caused by a metal fan blade in the engine breaking, causing the engine to partially come apart. Some of the debris struck a window with enough force to shatter it.

      In the wake of that accident Southwest announced an acceleration of its program to inspect CFM56-7B engines used on its Boeing 737 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also said it will issue an airworthiness directive that will require inspections of certain CFM56-7B engines.

      Southwest Airlines flight 957 made an unscheduled landing in Cleveland Wednesday after a window in the passenger cabin cracked.The flight, from Chicago...

      Google rolls out Chrome changes that stop videos from autoplaying with sound

      The company says Chrome blocks ‘about half’ of unwanted autoplays

      Two weeks after releasing Chrome 66, an update that prevents Chrome from automatically playing content with sound, Chrome product manager John Pallett has revealed that Google’s new policy blocks “about half” of unwanted autoplays.

      The tech giant says Chrome learns user preferences to decide which sites should and should not autoplay videos. That means Chrome will remember sites that a user has previously clicked and played videos on and will give those sites permission to continue autoplaying with sound.

      "As you teach Chrome, you may find that you need to click 'play' every now and then, but overall the new policy blocks about half of unwanted autoplays, so you will have fewer surprises and less unwanted noise when you first arrive at a website," John Pallett, a Chrome product manager, said in a blog post.

      How Chrome learns user preferences

      With the changes, Google is aiming to cut down on unwanted autoplays without fully eliminating autoplays that a user might want based on previous interactions with the site.

      Google is endeavoring to strike this balance by starting with a list of more than a thousand sites where Google found that the user usually played audio or video content with sound. As the user browses, Chrome updates that list by taking note of where the user plays content and where they don’t.

      Earlier this year, Chrome began blocking ads on some websites if Google determined that the sites were using too many.

      “While most advertising on the web is respectful of user experience, over the years we’ve increasingly heard from our users that some advertising can be particularly intrusive,” Google engineering manager Chris Bentzel said at the time.

      Other companies have also taken measures to make the web a less intrusive place for users. Last year, Apple's Safari started blocking most autoplay videos if they used sound. Firefox and the Brave browser have both made it easier for users to block ads and web software that track a user’s online behavior.

      Two weeks after releasing Chrome 66, an update that prevents Chrome from automatically playing content with sound, Chrome product manager John Pallett has...

      Lyft to offer free rides to low-income job seekers or veterans

      The company has pledged $1.5 million to expand its Relief Rides service to include non-crisis situations

      Lyft has announced that it will expand its free ride program to serve people who may need rides to job interviews or medical appointments.

      The ride-hailing company originally launched its Relief Rides program following Hurricane Harvey with the goal of supporting people in times of crisis, such as natural disasters or other emergency situations.

      Lyft gave people free trips to shelters and hospitals in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as well as after the wildfires in Northern and Southern California. The company also gave consumers free rides to blood centers after the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

      Now, the company has committed $1.5 million over the next year to expanding the service to help individuals in non-emergency situations. Lyft says it plans to give veterans and low-income job-seekers access to free rides to job interviews, medical visits, and more.

      Solving transportation issues

      In a blog post announcing the program’s expansion, Lyft acknowledged that “people need help beyond times of crisis as well. There are those with acute transportation needs every single day.”

      Lyft said it will work with local and national organizations to identify the needs in certain communities and will “expand these partnerships to support a diverse array of people, depending on the needs of each local community.”

      The change is the latest effort by the company to make a positive impact. Last month, Lyft announced that it would balance its vehicles’ carbon emissions by investing millions of dollars in carbon offsets.

      Lyft has announced that it will expand its free ride program to serve people who may need rides to job interviews or medical appointments.The ride-hail...

      Google tops survey of consumers' favorite brands

      But food brands grab nine of the top 25 spots in the poll

      Consumers have strong feelings about brands, and those preferences appear to be strongly influenced by how old they are and where they live.

      In its second annual Most Loved Brands Survey, Morning Consult surveyed 250,000 consumers across America, asking them to rate particular brands. Google came out on top with a favorable rating of 78.7 percent.

      In fact, technology brands made a strong showing in the top 25. Amazon was fourth with a 76 percent favorable rating; YouTube was ninth, at 73.8 percent; Netflix was 14th, with a 72.2 rating; and Microsoft was 25th, at 69.4 percent favorable rating.

      Consumers also have a favorable view of many food brands. Hershey's was second (78.6), Pillsbury was third (76.1), Kellogg's was sixth, (75.9), Betty Crocker was eighth (74.1), Campbell's Soup was 10th (72.9), Frito-Lay was 18th (71.4), Nestle was 22nd (70.8), Lipton was 23rd (69.7), and General Mills was 24th (69.6).

      Home Depot was the only brick and mortar retailer to make the top 25, with a 71.9 percent favorable rating, good enough to earn 15th place.

      Age breakdown

      But when the findings are broken down among age groups, a different picture emerges. The energy drink Red Bull is the most favored brand among 18 to 29 year olds, followed by SnapChat, Instagram, Spotify, and Monster Beverage, another energy drink.

      The results diverge even more when broken down by location. In rural America, the top brand is Carhartt, a maker of outdoor work apparel and gear. It's followed by Cabela's, another outdoor brand, Golden Corral, Trump Hotels, and Fox News.

      Trader Joe's is the top brand among suburbanites. It's followed by DSW, Double Tree Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, and Fidelity Investments.

      Among urban residents, MTV is the top brand. It's followed by BET, the NBA, Huffington Post, and CNN.

      “The companies that Americans love are a mix of old and new, and shed light into the ever-changing branding landscape,” Morning Consult said in a release.

      Consumers have strong feelings about brands, and those preferences appear to be strongly influenced by how old they are and where they live.In its seco...

      For some, the Apple Watch is a lifesaver

      Doctors say the device can detect dangerous heart problems

      William Monzidelis is alive today because he was wearing an Apple Watch. At least, that's what his doctors say.

      A report by Apple Insider tells the story. The 32 year-old man was at work last month when he began to feel dizzy. He was bleeding internally but had no idea until his Apple Watch showed his heart rate had surged and sent an alert, telling him to seek medical attention.

      Monzidelis' stomach ulcer had erupted, causing him to lose 80 percent of his blood by the time he got to a hospital. Doctors credited the device, purchased most often as a fitness monitor, with saving Monzidelis' life.

      "I would have been working in my office and they would have found me dead," he told Apple Insider.

      Story isn't unique

      It turns out Monizidelis' story isn't unique. In 2017, 49 year-old attorney Scott Killian thought he was in perfect health. In fact, he had just completed a series of expensive tests to measure his heart health.

      Then in the middle of the night, his Apple Watch woke him with an alert from a third party app called HeartWatch. It warned him his heart rate had surged, suggesting he could be suffering a heart attack.

      Killian told 9to5 Mac his watch picked up an issue that $10,000 worth of medical tests did not. Killian's doctor said the device probably saved his life.

      “He said had I kept sleeping, I probably wouldn’t have woken up,” Killian said. “I would have died in my sleep.”

      More common than you think

      If you Google “Apple Watch” and “lifesaver” you'll find these kinds of stories are more common than you might think. Back in 2015, the tech publication SlashGear reported the Apple Watch saved a teen's life when his device warned him his heart rate had reached dangerous levels while he was in class.

      Instead of ignoring the warning, he notified the school nurse, who sent him to the hospital, where doctors confirmed a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome that is caused by muscle injury, where the protein myoglobin is released into the blood, causing the liver, heart, and kidneys to shut down.

      Healthcare professionals have shown increasing interest in wearable devices' ability to provide critical health warnings. A recent Cleveland Clinic study looked at the Apple Watch's role in healthcare.

      The study affirmed the technology's ability to accurately detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), a leading cause of stroke.

      William Monzidelis is alive today because he was wearing an Apple Watch. At least, that's what his doctors say.A report by Apple Insider tells the stor...

      The SEC turns up the heat on cryptocurrency

      This time, its sights are set on regulating Ethereum

      A new report has surfaced that regulators are taking a harder look into the possibility of regulating cryptocurrency.

      The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is once again investigating the regulation of cryptocurrencies.

      This time, however, it’s the digital currency Ethereum that’s the target. The digital currency’s development was "probably an illegal securities sale,” the Journal said, citing sources acquainted with the situation.

      Those sources infer that regulators are assessing whether Ethereum’s developers “exert significant influence over their value, in the same way a company’s stock price depends on its managers and their strategy, performance, and investments.”

      The SEC rattled its sabre earlier this year over concerns of fraudulent and manipulative trading practices. The agency views cryptocurrency the same as it views any stock or bond, and it wants exchange platforms dealing in cryptocurrency to register with the SEC as a legitimate securities exchange or prove that it’s exempt from registration.

      Misleading and harmful

      “Ethereum that the EtherIndex is based on is representing one of the most misleading, harmful, and questionable existing large projects in the cryptocurrency space,” wrote cryptocurrency observer Alen Lee is his comments to the SEC regarding a proposed rule change for the Listing and Trading of Shares on the EtherIndex.

      “Ethereum is very likely an unregistered security who's [sic] rules were changed while profiting the foreign group in charge while damaging the properties and value proposed to the investors,” Lee commented.

      Aren’t all cryptocurrencies the same?

      It’s true that cryptocurrencies share many similarities, but there are several key differences. All are digital assets designed to function as an exchange medium -- like a dollar or a euro -- but they use cryptography variants to secure transactions, control the creation of additional units, and verify the transfer of assets.

      At the center of the SEC’s focus is ether, the core asset of Ethereum’s blockchain, the same technology that runs Bitcoin.

      “Ether is a necessary element — a fuel — for operating the distributed application software platform we are building: ethereum,” is how the Ethereum Foundation explained its purpose when Ethereum first came on the scene in 2014.

      "Without the requirement of payment of ether for every computational step and storage operation within the system, infinite loops or excessive storage demands could bog down ethereum and effectively destroy it," wrote the Foundation.

      The Ethereum Foundation’s initial sale hauled in more than 31,000 Bitcoin in July 2014. Ether was worth about $18.3 million at the time but it’s valued at more than $285 million now. Because investors were speculating that the launch would result in a rise in asset value, the deal looked just like a security, the Journal said.

      A new report has surfaced that regulators are taking a harder look into the possibility of regulating cryptocurrency.The Wall Street Journal reported T...

      Cambridge Analytica files for bankruptcy

      The company said it lost virtually all of its customers and suppliers as a result of the Facebook data-mining controversy

      Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm embroiled in the Facebook privacy scandal, announced on Wednesday that it is ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy.

      The decision comes two months after the London-based company -- which was originally hired by President Trump’s election campaign -- was accused of improperly harvesting data from up to 87 million Facebook users through a personality quiz. It was later revealed that the data was used for targeted political advertising.

      In a statement posted to its website, Cambridge Analytica blamed negative media coverage for the data scandal. It said it lost virtually all of its customers and suppliers as a result of the controversy and was forced to file for bankruptcy in both the U.S. and in the U.K.  

      Severely damaged reputation

      A former Cambridge Analytica employee revealed that Julian Wheatland, the company’s chief executive, said the damage to the company’s reputation was too severe to continue operating and it was “futile” to try to rebrand the company’s offerings.

      “Despite Cambridge Analytica’s unwavering confidence that its employees have acted ethically and lawfully, which view is now fully supported by [a third-party audit], the siege of media coverage has driven away virtually all of the Company’s customers and suppliers,” the company said in a press release.

      “As a result, it has been determined that it is no longer viable to continue operating the business, which left Cambridge Analytica with no realistic alternative to placing the Company into administration.”

      The firm maintains that its business practices are common to other online advertisers and that Cambridge Analytica has been “vilified for activities that are not only legal, but also widely accepted as a standard component of online advertising in both the political and commercial arenas.”

      Cambridge Analytica, the political consulting firm embroiled in the Facebook privacy scandal, announced on Wednesday that it is ceasing operations and fili...

      Harmony recalls Big Boost Deluxe booster seats

      The seat belt may cause excessive force to be applied to the restrained child's chest

      Harmony Juvenile Products is recalling 148,165 Harmony Big Boost Deluxe booster seats.

      In the event of a crash, the seat belt may cause excessive force to be applied to the restrained child's chest, increasing the risk of injury.

      What to do

      The remedy for this recall is still under development.

      The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Harmony customer service at 1-877-306-1001.

      Harmony Juvenile Products is recalling 148,165 Harmony Big Boost Deluxe booster seats.In the event of a crash, the seat belt may cause excessive force...

      Volkswagen recalls model year 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons

      The driver side front airbag inflator may explode

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 71,335 model year 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons.

      Upon deployment of the driver side front airbag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

      Metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants could result in serious injury or death.

      What to do

      Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

      The recall was expected to begin April 30, 2018.

      Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8.

      Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 71,335 model year 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons.Upon deployment of the driver side front airba...

      JBS USA recalls raw ground beef

      The products may be contaminated with pieces of hard plastic

      JBS USA of Lenoir, N.C., is recalling approximately 35,464 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials -- specifically pieces of hard plastic.

      There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.

      • The following raw ground beef items, produced on March 22, 2018, are being recalled:
      • 3-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN - 27% FAT” with product code 95051, UPC: 011110975645, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN - 20% FAT” with product code 95052, UPC: 011110969729, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 3-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN – 20% FAT” with product code 95053, UPC of 011110969705, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF 80% LEAN - 20% FAT GROUND CHUCK” with product code 95054, UPC: 011110971395, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN – 15% FAT” with product code 95055, UPC: 011110969682, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND SIRLOIN 90% LEAN – 10% FAT GROUND BEEF” and product code 95056, UPC: 011110975638, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “ALL NATURAL LAURA’S LEAN BEEF 92% LEAN 8% FAT GROUND BEEF” with product code 95057, UPC: 612669316714, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “ALL NATURAL LAURA’S LEAN BEEF 96% LEAN 4% FAT GROUND BEEF” with product code 95058, UPC: 612669317063, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF 90% LEAN – 10% FAT GROUND SIRLOIN” with product code 95063, UPC: 011110969637 and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 1-lb. tray packages containing “Kroger GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN – 7% FAT” with product code 95064, UPC: 01111096920, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
      • 15-lb. cases containing “JBS Ground Beef Angus Chuck 80% Lean 20% Fat Service Case” with Case UPC: 0040404800632 and a “Sell By: 9.APRIL.”
      • 15-lb. cases containing “Ground Beef Angus Sirloin 90% Lean 10% Fat Service Case” Case UPC: 0040404800634, and a “Sell By: 9.APRIL.”

      The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 34176” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to distribution centers in Virginia and Indiana for further distribution to retail locations.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

      Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Cheri Schneider at JBS, at (970) 506-7717.

      JBS USA of Lenoir, N.C., is recalling approximately 35,464 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials -- specifi...