Current Events in December 2023

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a five-year ban on facial recognition technology to Rite Aid after the store mishandled its uses for over a decade. 

While the surveillance technology was implemented in Rite Aid stores for safety reasons, the agency found that Rite Aid was using it in ways that are harmful to consumers, including falsely accusing customers of shoplifting. According to the FTC’s complaint, women and people of color were primarily targeted for shoplifting. 

“Rite Aid’s reckless use of facial surveillance systems left its customers facing humiliation and other harms, and its order violations puts consumers’ sensitive information at risk,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. 

“Today’s groundbreaking order makes clear that the Commission will be vigilant in protecting the public from unfair biometric surveillance and unfair data security practices.”  

Shoppers were profiled

Rite Aid had been using the facial recognition technology in its stores from 2010 through 2020, and it was originally implemented to help stores identify potential shoplifters or other problematic behaviors. 

The FTC learned that not only did Rite Aid not disclose to shoppers that they were being surveilled, but employees were also told to keep the surveillance system under wraps. Additionally, there were no systems in place to protect shoppers, which ultimately led to a great deal of chaos and harm for Rite Aid shoppers. 

“Employees, acting on false positive alerts, followed consumers around its stores, searched them, ordered them to leave, called the police to confront or remove customers, and publicly accused them, sometimes in front of friends or family, of shoplifting or other wrongdoing, according to the complaint,” the FTC wrote. “In addition, the FTC says Rite Aid’s actions disproportionately impacted people of color.” 

In one such instance, an 11-year-old girl was falsely accused of shoplifting based on images that had been generated from the facial recognition system. 

Rite Aid had contracted with two companies that created a database of people that were believed to be shoplifters or a general harm to the store. The database ended up being full of inaccurate information, low-quality images, and customers’ personal information. 

Protecting consumers moving forward

In addition to the five-year ban, the FTC has also required Rite Aid take further action to protect consumers. 

The company has been mandated to delete all pictures and videos that have been collected while this technology was implemented, and ensure all third-party entities do the same. In addition, should this technology be utilized again after five years, Rite Aid is required to clearly display notices in their stores, implement a data security system, and delete any data within five years. 

"Rite Aid’s mission has always been and will continue to be to safely and conveniently serve the communities in which we operate,” the company said in a statement. “The safety of our associates and customers is paramount. As part of the agreement with the FTC, we will continue to enhance and formalize the practices and policies of our comprehensive and information security program.” 

One of the most popular toys of the year is coming to McDonald’s, believe it or not.

On their way to selling 30 million units in this last quarter of 2023, Squishmallows are the Cabbage Patch Kids of this generation of youngsters and they will be available as a "free" toy inside McDonald's Happy Meals, beginning December 26, and while supplies last.

“Iconic Squishmallow characters — like Cam and Fifi — will be a part of the lineup, as well as everyone’s favorite McDonaldland character and purple bestie — Grimace!” according to the fast food chain.

“And that’s not all — there’s a surprise mystery character that select fans may uncover when they open their Happy Meal toy.”

Parents should bring along their earplugs because each character comes with a unique playlist based on its personality. All families have to do to access each Squishmallow’s playlist is scan the QR code on the Happy Meal box.

Menu choices

Parents will have three choices of Happy Meals to choose from, all priced somewhere between $4.29 and $4.98, but could be cheaper if ordered on McD’s app.

• Hamburger Happy Meal: a basic hamburger with a side of fries, apple slices, and a choice of drink

• 4-Piece McNugget Happy Meal: 4-piece nuggets plus fries, apple slices, and a choice of drink

• 6-Piece McNugget Happy Meal: 6-piece nuggets plus sides of fries, apple slices, and choice of drink

Parents should also be prepared to drive to different McDonald’s locations in neighboring towns if Squishmania gets out of hand. That’s because there are 24 iconic Squishmallows plush toys altogether, but only 10-12 designs per each participating market. So, if your kid has their heart on collecting them all, keep your car gassed up because you might be going on a Squish hunt.

Simmons Prepared Foods of Van Buren, Ark., is recalling approximately 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays boneless chicken bites.

The products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials -- specifically pieces of clear, hard plastic.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness.

The following item, produced on October 3, 2023, is being recalled:

• 15-oz. carton containing "TGI FRIDAYS BONELESS CHICKEN BITES HONEY BBQ CHICKEN" with lot code KL3K03 and Best By date of 12/26/2024 located on the side of the carton.

The recalled product, bearing establishment number "P-20287" inside the USDA mark of inspection, was sold at retail stores nationwide.

What to do

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

Consumers with questions may call (800) 280-7185.

One result of the Federal Reserve’s signal last week that it’s making progress on curbing inflation immediately showed up in the bond market. The yield on the Treasury’s 10-year note fell below 4% for the first time since August.

If you purchased bonds a few weeks ago, you’re still earning good interest. Not only that, as bond yields fall the value of your bonds go up.

But if you’re just now looking for a safe place to park some cash, certificates of deposit (CD) generally pay more in interest and for shorter durations. Synchrony and Everbank both offer an interest rate of 5.50% on a nine-month CD. Synchrony requires no minimum deposit but Everbank requires an opening deposit of at least $1,000.

Fulbright pays even more – 5.75% – on a nine-month CD with a minimum deposit of $1,000.

While Treasury bonds are backed by the “full faith and credit of the U.S. government,” CDs are just as safe, just as long as the issuing financial institution is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Should the institution fail, depositors are made whole, up to $250,000.

Good options to consider

After reviewing 33 financial institutions, ConsumerAffairs researchers picked seven banks as best, based on different criteria. They are:

• Marcus by Goldman Sachs

• Comerica

• Truist

• Ally Bank

• Synchrony Financial

• TD Bank

• Discover Bank

First, the good news. Mortgage rates have fallen from their October highs of around 8%. Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was around 6.95% on Friday.

But for buyers eager to buy a home, that might not be enough to improve affordability. Because, as the Wall Street Journal has pointed out, falling rates may have excited buyers but they haven’t moved sellers.

Rather, not that many current homeowners appear motivated to sell. If they have a mortgage rate of around 3% they might not be ready to list their homes for sale and buy another one until rates are a lot lower.

So, if the recent drop in mortgage rates is enough to bring buyers to the market, they may not find an increase in homes for sale. Instead, they are back to competing with one another for available homes, which in the past has resulted in bidding wars and higher home prices.

Consider this: millions of homes were purchased in 2020 and 2021, during the pandemic. Not only are recent purchasers unlikely to sell anytime soon, they have rock-bottom mortgage rates and are not willing to part with them.

Relocating could help

House hunters who are willing to move to a lower-cost city, when available homes are more plentiful, may find the best opportunities.

"Now that we're seeing the beginning of an affordability turnaround, home buyers are still looking for markets where they can capitalize on lower prices," said Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale. "Even in some of the more expensive markets, we'll see double-digit sales growth as sales start to rebound from their historic lows, helped by mortgage rates which are expected to finally relent."

But sales growth has to be measured against current sales. Real estate experts say they expect 2023 home sales to be the lowest in about a decade.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's report that actor Matthew Perry died, in part from “the acute effects of ketamine” has raised awareness of this drug.

Ketamine has long been used to treat depression and anxiety and Perry was reportedly taking it in conjunction with his treatment for drug addiction. The drug has been around since the 1970s and during the 90s, was often used as a party drug.

It wasn’t until the early 2000s that scientists discovered it could be a powerful tool to promote mental health. Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that the drug could quickly relieve severe depression.

The problem with the drug is that it is still used recreationally. Doses administered by a health care professional are small and always administered in a clinical setting. Recreational users tend to dose at much higher levels.

According to Perry’s autopsy report, the levels of Ketamine in his blood were much higher than would have been administered by his doctor.

Overdoses are rare

Health professionals say lethal ketamine overdoses are rare. In Perry’s case, he apparently fell asleep while in a hot tub and drowned.

Since 1999, ketamine has been classified as a Schedule III nonnarcotic substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines these drugs as having a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”

According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, ketamine is a dissociative drug, which means it “causes people to feel separated or detached from their body or physical environment. Dissociatives are similar to psychedelics, they can cause hallucinations and other changes in thoughts, emotions and consciousness.”

Ketamine is generally considered safe when administered in a clinical setting. But the American Addition Centers discussed potential adverse effects here.

While the clock on holiday shopping is certainly ticking, Walmart is offering consumers last-minute shopping opportunities through Christmas Eve. 

The retailer announced that consumers can guarantee gifts get delivered for Christmas Day even if they wait until later in the week to place their orders. In addition, there will be a number of sales on last-minute gift ideas running throughout this week. 

“It’s been an exciting holiday season, and we’ve been busy delivering the kind of holiday magic only Walmart can,” the company wrote in a statement. “But we’re not done yet! We’re finishing the season strong – giving customers new ways to save and convenient delivery solutions on last-minute gifts.” 

Get gifts delivered, or pick them up

If the holiday season got away from you, it’s still not too late to finish your shopping. Walmart has shared its final shipping deadlines for consumers to ensure they receive their gifts in time for Christmas. 

Here’s what to know: 

• Delivery deadline: Thursday, December 21. If consumers place their orders by 2 p.m. local time, delivery is guaranteed for December 25 – just remember to look for gifts that are eligible for next-day and two-day shipping.

• Curbside Pickup & Delivery (from store): Sunday, December 24. Shoppers can place orders by 12 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve for either same-day pickup or delivery through 4 p.m. Walmart will have extra pickup and delivery time slots available for the extra orders expected during the holidays. 

• Express Delivery: Sunday, December 24. Shoppers will be able to place orders for Express Delivery – which get delivered within two hours of being placed – through 4 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve. Walmart+ members receive one free Express Delivery order in the month of December, and non-members can get Express Delivery for a $10 fee. 

Sales are still available

For those looking for deals on popular holiday gifts, Walmart will be running sales through Thursday, December 21, at 2 p.m. ET. 

Some of the thousands of offers include: 

• LEGO Super Mario Penguin Family Snow Adventure Expansion Set: $19.97

• Philips 50” 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV: $198

• Barbie Doll and Mountain Bike Bundle with Barbie Car: $34.97

• Farberware 20-piece Aluminum Cookware Set: $59

• Lenovo 14” IdeaPad: $349

More last-minute holiday sales can be found on Walmart’s website, in the mobile app, or in stores.