Current Events in January 2020

The U.S. and China are preparing to sign a partial trade agreement, easing tensions that have led to tariffs over more than a year.

But that may not be enough to ease U.S. suspicions of Chinese tech giant Huawei, which American officials have said is too closely aligned with the Chinese government and has been suspected of espionage and theft of intellectual property.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has introduced legislation to block the sharing of intelligence with countries contracting with Huawei to build out 5G networks. 

“The United States shouldn't be sharing valuable intelligence information with countries that allow an intelligence-gathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party to operate freely within their borders,” Cotton said in a statement. “I urge our allies around the world to carefully consider the consequences of dealing with Huawei to their national interests."

It wasn’t immediately clear if the White House supports the legislation or if it has additional backing from other senators. For a time, the Trump administration banned the U.S. government and U.S. tech companies from doing business with Huawei, resulting in a lawsuit. 

A softer approach

In August, the U.S. granted a temporary exemption to the blacklist, mostly at the urging of U.S. tech companies. It was the second time the Chinese technology equipment maker was offered a reprieve since it was accused of stealing trade secrets, and it was added to a list of companies that are banned from doing business with American companies. 

Cotton’s bill is brief and to the point. It declares: “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled...Intelligence of or under the control of the United States, including intelligence products 2 ARM20007 S.L.C. 0B1 2N GK2 1 of the intelligence community, may not be shared with any country that permits operation within its national borders of fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications technology of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.”

A Chinese delegation is expected in Washington next week to sign the Phase One trade agreement that President Trump has said will result in more U.S. exports to China.

Have you ever sat back and dreamed of landing a job that allowed you to earn six figures? Did those dreams ever include you working at Taco Bell? 

The fast food company announced today several initiatives that it has planned for 2020 to support its employees and create a more sustainable business model. Within its plan, Taco Bells says it plans to test a $100,000 annual salary for managers of company-owned restaurants in certain markets. All corporate-owned restaurant employees will also be offered 24 hours of paid sick time moving forward.

“Through these initiatives, Taco Bell aims to enhance restaurant performance, employee satisfaction and support recruitment and retention,” the company stated.

“As Taco Bell expands its footprint, our responsibility to drive positive impact increases. Our business growth in the last decade has positioned us to create change for good and implement creative solutions for our planet, our people and our food. We’re excited to shake things up and make 2020 even more about what matters most: our purpose.”

Going green

In addition to its new incentives for employees, Taco Bell said that it will be looking to become more eco-conscious in the new year. 

The brand has set a goal of making all of its consumer-facing packaging recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025. It will also be adding recycling and/or composting bins to all restaurants worldwide by that time and seeking to remove certain chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and BPA from packaging materials by that time.

“As a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, Taco Bell is proud of the work it has done to date and the opportunities ahead for its planet, people and food,” the company said. “The brand will provide updates on progress throughout the year as it introduces sustainable packaging to restaurants, continues investing in its people and develops new vegetarian options for fans.”

Consumers who use Uber’s ride-sharing service in California will be seeing a change to how prices are quoted when booking a ride. 

In the wake of the passage of California’s AB 5, which changes how companies can classify their workers as either contractors or employees, Uber will now only provide estimates to users about how much a trip will cost. The final price won’t be completely tabulated until after a traveler reaches their destination, and it will be based on how much time it took to get there and the distance traveled. 

“Due to a new state law, we are making some changes to help ensure that Uber remains a dependable source of flexible work for California drivers,” Uber said in an email to its rider base. 

A full list of changes that Uber drivers will experience on their end has been detailed in a company blog post here.

Legal challenges

Uber has been one of the most outspoken companies when it comes to California’s new gig labor law. Last month, the company filed a lawsuit along with Postmates that sought to delay the implementation of AB 5.

In a legal filing, critics of the new labor law have derided it as being anti-worker and shortsighted because it will allegedly force drivers to sacrifice the flexibility they have had when it comes to making their own schedules. 

“AB 5 is an irrational and unconstitutional statute designed to target and stifle workers and companies in the on-demand economy,” the suit stated.

Technology has even made relaxing easier and a more pleasant experience.

Several manufacturers of massage chairs are at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week to demonstrate how their products work. They’re not to be confused with the vibrating recliners you might find at your local big-box furniture store chain.

“Some chairs just jiggle, Robyn Readicker, International sales and marketing manager for Luraco Technologies,” told ConsumerAffairs. “Our chairs do a whole lot more than that.”

Indeed they do, as show attendees who lined up to try the chairs at the Luraco exhibit quickly discovered. The chair provides a full body massage from the top of your neck to the soles of your feet.

“The chair customizes the massage to the user,” Readicker said. “When the user first sits down the chair measures the body that’s in the chair. It measures the length of the spine, the curvature of the spine, it travels down for that and comes back up where the shoulders break, and at the same time it’s also measuring the length of the legs, so it can give an accurate massage.”

Crossing luxury with health

The chair practically envelops the user and stretches limbs to loosen muscles. Robotically-controlled rollers simulate strong fingers as they move up and down the body. The massage itself is controlled using a touch-screen remote.

Retailing at $8,990, there is little doubt that Luraco chairs are a luxury item. But they also can play a key medical role for patients who benefit from regular body massages. The company says regular use of the chair not only reduces stress and enhances a good night’s sleep, it has been shown to reduce blood pressure.

Made in the USA

Readicker says the Luraco chairs are the only massage chairs manufactured in the United States, at the company’s facility in Arlington, Tex. It was awarded “best in fitness” honors at the 2016 CES.

The company says the Luraco i7 is also the only massage chair in the industry that “has systematically proved to provide health benefits and pain relief by an independent professional research institute.”

The chairs are sold throughout the U.S. using a network of retail outlets.

While injuries related to e-scooter accidents are certainly not uncommon, especially for new riders, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Francisco found that these injuries are steadily rising. 

According to the researchers, e-scooter injuries are rapidly increasing among young adults, especially in more populated cities where the form of transportation has really taken off. 

“E-scooters are a fast and convenient form of transportation and help to lessen traffic congestion, especially in dense, high-traffic areas,” said researcher Dr. Benjamin N. Beyer. “But we’re very concerned about the significant increases in injuries and hospital admissions that we documented, particularly during the last year, and especially with young people, where the proportion of hospital admissions increased 354 percent.” 

Accident rate

To understand the latest trends in e-scooter-related injuries, the researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. The dataset spans the entire country, and it includes both hospital admissions information and injury data more broadly. 

When the study began, the researchers found that six out of every 100,000 e-scooter riders became injured. However, by 2018, that same figure jumped to 19 riders for every 100,000. 

The study revealed that young people, and women more specifically, were the most likely to suffer these injuries. Busier cities were the site of nearly 80 percent of such incidents, compared to just 20 percent in more rural areas. 

As electric scooters continue to gain popularity, the researchers are urging consumers to be more mindful and take the necessary precautions when opting to travel via e-scooter. 

“It’s been shown that helmet use is associated with a lower risk of head injury,” said researcher Nikan K. Namiri. “We strongly believe that helmets should be worn, and e-scooter manufacturers should encourage helmet use by making them more easily accessible.” 

Subaru of America is recalling more than 750 K of the following vehicles:

• model year 2009-2013 Foresters, model year 2003-2006 Bajas, model year 2004-2011 Imprezas, model year 2004-2014 WRXs (STI included), model year 2003-2014 Legacys & Outbacks, and model year 2005-2006 Saab 9-2Xs originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A,"
• model year 2009-2013 Foresters, model year 2003-2006 Bajas, model year 2004-2011 Imprezas, model year 2004-2014 WRXs (including STI), model year 2003-2014 Legacys & Outbacks, and model year 2006 Saab 9-2Xs originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B," and
• model year 2009-2013 Foresters, model year 2003-2006 Bajas, model year 2004-2011 Imprezas, model year 2004-2014 WRXs (including STI), model year 2003-2014 Legacys & Outbacks, and model year 2006 Saab 9-2Xs originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

These vehicles had their passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under prior recalls using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Subaru will notify its owners, while General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin in January 2020.

Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at (844) 373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab customer assistance center at (800) 955-9007. Subaru's numbers for this recall are TKA-20, TKB-20 and TKC 20.

General Motors is recalling 463,995 model year 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s, Cadillac CT6s and GMC Sierra 1500s.

Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled.

If this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights.

If the driver is unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 27, 2020.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020, Cadillac customer service at (800) 333-4223, or GMC customer service at (888) 988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.

Veggie Noodle Co. is recalling its Cece’s Veggie Co. brand Fresh Veggie Ramen with Chicken Broth.

The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

There are no reports of illness

The recalled product which comes in an 11.5-oz. container with UPC 5228700653 was sold at retail stores nationally.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but discard or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Veggie Noodle at (512) 200-3337 Monday -- Friday, 9 AM t-- 5 PM (CT) or by email at info@cecesveggieco.com.

Great American Deli of Ooltewah, Tenn., is recalling GAD #114 Egg Salad Sandwiches.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

There are no reports of illnesses to date.

The following lots of the 4.8-oz. recalled products, with UPC: 7-41431-00114-2, are being recalled: 19094, 19107, 19129, 19155, 19158, 19218, 19237, 19259, 19274, 19297, 19304, 19310, 19322, 19336.

The recalled products may have been sold at convenience stores, micro markets and vending machines in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (800) 343-1327 Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET).

Urban transportation technology can be complex or simple, and Smacircle, a Chinese start-up, says its newest product definitely falls into the latter category.

It has introduced a small, lightweight bike that folds up and can fit into some backpacks. Darin Pike, vice president for sales, says a 3 ½ hour charge of the battery will provide a range of up to 13 miles at a speed of up to 13 miles an hour.

“It was designed for that last-mile transportation,” Pike told ConsumerAffairs. “You don’t want to use it for hours on end, but you want to get to a destination and have the ability to charge your phone, charge the bike, and keep going.”

In some cities, you can be more than a mile from your final destination when you get off the subway or bus. The bike is designed to get you to where you’re going sooner.

Alternative to renting a scooter

Urban dwellers currently have the option of renting a scooter, but Pike says the Smacircle bike is an alternative that the consumer owns, paying a retail price of $1,399. The carbon fiber frame was engineered to fold up for easy carrying and the total package, including the battery, weighs in at 24 pounds.

The bike is small, maybe the size of your first bike as a kid. But Pike says it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of a 220-pound rider.

The controls are simple. The handlebar has an accelerator and brake, just like any other motorized bike. It has an LED headlight that’s built into the frame.

The bike’s lithium-ion battery is also the rider’s seat, where the rear brake light is attached, turning on whenever the rider presses the brake button. A built-in USB port allows the rider to charge their phone while riding.

There’s also an app

Because it’s a smart bike, there’s an app that can be used to control a security lock, turn the bike on and off, monitor battery levels, and provide a real-time speed indicator.

Smacircle is among the start-ups at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that is introducing a product to meet a specific need, with hopes of being a “disrupter.”

“The company was developed in China in 2017,” Pike said. “They partnered with Whamo, the toy company, and we launched the bike in August 2019. They’re selling online now for $1,399.”

If you’ve been on the internet for more than five minutes, you’ve likely had some exposure to online trolling -- a practice in which a person purposely tries to upset others to cause frustration and anger. 

While it might seem harmless at first glance, online trolling can be used by malicious individuals to target certain groups of people for harassment. Now, a team at Caltech wants to make it easier for online platforms to spot these individuals so that action can be taken. How do they plan to accomplish that feat? Machine learning and artificial intelligence.

“The field of AI research is becoming more inclusive, but there are always people who resist change,” said researcher Anima Anandkumar, who has been a victim of online harassment in the past. “It was an eye-opening experience about just how ugly trolling can get. Hopefully, the tools we’re developing now will help fight all kinds of harassment in the future.”

Spotting and analyzing key words

Up to this point, preventing online harassment and trolling has been a difficult task. In most cases, automated systems look for negative online posts or keywords and flag them to be either be handled by human moderators or dealt with automatically. 

To improve that process, the Caltech team used a model called GloVe -- which stands for Global Vectors for Word Representation. The system also relies on keywords, but it takes the extra step of analyzing how they were used. 

For example, the researchers say certain words like “female” are often used on posts describing the #MeToo movement, which focuses on sexual harassment and sexual assault. While the word can appear in positive posts on online platforms, it can also be used in darker corners of the internet among misogynistic groups. 

The researchers say that GloVe was able to separate cases when “female” was being used alongside other keywords on a Reddit forum dedicated to misogyny from positive Twitter posts discussing the movement.

With time, the team hopes that this machine learning can evolve to help online platforms spot negative cases more quickly.

Delta Airlines Chief Executive Ed Bastian took the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Tuesday to reaffirm that Delta senses technology is an extremely important conduit between consumers and the airline.

In the new world where more and more companies are keeping in touch with consumers via tech, Delta became the first airline to keynote CES. Airlines don’t typically show up at confabs like an electronics show because they might still be thinking that a free beverage, a baby-sized snack, a skimpy blanket, and a less-than-comfy pillow is all the traveler really needs to be happy. Au contraire, mon frère.

Walk the walk, talk the talk

Bastian’s blueprint for the future of travel as it relates to tech pretty much falls in line with what ConsumerAffairs uncovered in the CES session on Smart Tourism -- that, done correctly, technology can redefine consumer expectations.

“We see technology as a tool to further our mission of connecting people and creating opportunities,” he said. “We’re not chasing shiny objects or tech for the sake of being cool. We are dedicated to solving your travel problems and making your voyages – and your lives – easier.”

Seamless integration

It’s not likely that Bastian wrote the talking points for all the industry pundits in CES’ Smart Tourism, but they’re definitely on the same page when it comes to making travel more relaxing and less stressful. By anticipating a traveler’s needs and offering services that can take the stress out of travel, Bastian hopes that amenities like a ride to the airport and app-based support can help customers move forward on their trip seamlessly. 

The specifics of Bastian’s game plan is pretty progressive compared to the dated and pay-for-everything attitude we’ve seen from much of the airline industry. He went on record as saying that he wants to digitize the flying experience with everything from machine learning and robotics in improving employee production to free Wi-Fi. He also mentioned a single-button approach that could allow travelers to binge watch TV shows so they can feel more like they’re at home. 

A likely story

Yes, you’ve heard airline brass make the oath of making the flying experience better before. Only last year, Oscar Munoz, the former CEO at United Airlines, said his airline was turning a leaf and taking a pro-consumer stance. With the recent reviews United has been given by ConsumerAffairs readers, Munoz’ promise may have come to fruition. But, overall, U.S.-based carriers simply don’t fare as well in the satisfaction department as their international counterparts. 

As an example, some international carriers -- like Virgin Atlantic -- have gone the extra mile to make flights comfortable. One consumer --  “C.” of Laguna Woods, California, who has celiac disease -- wrote in a review of their Virgin Atlantic experience that they were “thrilled by the way my needs were accommodated. I also liked the areas where one could stand during a long flight.” 

Delta appears committed

If Bastian has his wish, Delta will start showing up at the top of airline best-ofs just like Virgin. Still, at the end of the day, whatever an airline promises has to pay off on the bottom line. 

It’s anyone’s guess as to how long Delta’s “technology is there to serve our customers” refrain will last internally and externally or grow its bottom line. Until one of those benchmarks happens, Bastian says the company is committed to the “Delta Difference” and focused on building whatever tools it takes and whatever consumer trust is needed to take the airline to new heights.

“The opportunities to better connect people across the world are truly endless,” he said. “Technology will help us do it even better.”