Current Events in February 2025

While there have been several studies that have looked at the mental health impact of social media, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin explored the effects of general smartphone use on mental health. 

According to their findings, a two-week break from the internet on your phone could improve mental health, subjective well-being, and attention span. 

“Smartphones have drastically changed our lives and behaviors over the past 15 years, but our basic human psychology remains the same,” researcher Adrian Ward said in a news release. 

“Our big question was, are we adapted to deal with constant connection to everything all the time? The data suggest that we are not.”

The study

The researchers had nearly 500 participants involved in the four-week study. They were instructed to download an app on their phones that blocked everything except text messages and calls. That meant no social media, no internet browsers, and no internet access. However, outside of the study, they were able to access the internet as they pleased. 

For the study, one group had the internet blocked on their phones for the first two weeks of the study, while a second group had the app installed on their phones for the second two weeks. 

The participants completed psychological assessments at several points throughout the month-long study, and they also completed their own self-assessments to report on their mental health outcomes. 

Improving mental health outcomes

Overall, the study showed that taking breaks from constant internet access is likely to yield better mental health outcomes. 

At the end of the study, over 70% of the participants reported better mental health overall compared to the beginning of the study. When looking at the three primary measures of the study – mental health, attention span, and well-being, over 90% of the participants reported an improvement in at least one area. 

It’s also important to note that many of the participants reported feeling better with each day of the study. This means that the longer they went without constant internet access, the better they believed their mental health was. 

“[Participants] increased time spent in the offline world,” Ward said. “That’s doing hobbies, talking to people face-to-face, or going out in nature. They got more sleep, felt more socially connected, and felt more in control of their own decisions.”

Moving forward, the researchers want to see more work done in this area, and they also hope that these findings encourage more consumers to take regular breaks from their smartphones. 

“Technology often progresses much faster than our ability to understand its consequences,” the researchers wrote in the study. 

“Balancing the practical benefits that smartphones offer against these significant negative consequences is an important task for smartphone users. Our results suggest that, for many people, spending less time with their device can help achieve this balance.” 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced an investigation into DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The probe focuses on the privacy practices of DeepSeek's AI platform and its claims of technological superiority, purportedly rivaling advanced models such as OpenAI's Model o1.

Paxton has formally notified DeepSeek that its platform is in violation of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. Paxton has also issued third-party Civil Investigative Demands to tech giants Google and Apple.

These demands request a thorough analysis of the DeepSeek application and require the submission of all documentation that DeepSeek was obligated to provide before its app was made available to consumers.

"DeepSeek appears to be no more than a proxy for the CCP to undermine American AI dominance and steal the data of our citizens," Paxton said in a statement. 

Requesting cooperation from Apple and Google

"That’s why I’m announcing a thorough investigation and calling on Google and Apple to cooperate immediately by providing all relevant documents related to the DeepSeek app. The United States and Texas will continue to be at the forefront of global AI innovation, and any CCP-aligned company that tries to undermine that dominance by violating the rights of Texans and illegally undercutting American technology companies will face the full force of the law."

The investigation follows a directive issued by Paxton on January 28, which banned DeepSeek's platform from all Office of the Attorney General devices. This action was taken due to significant security concerns and the company's perceived allegiance to the CCP, including its readiness to censor information critical of the Chinese government.

As the investigation unfolds, the Attorney General's office remains committed to safeguarding the privacy rights of Texans and maintaining the integrity of American technological advancements. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the AI industry and international relations concerning data privacy and security.

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, and if it's a dozen nice big fat brown eggs you want, you'll need a dozen dollars at many stores in California, if you can even find any eggs.

In Missouri, you can whip up as many over-easy or scrambled eggs as you want for about $4.24, thanks to all the Midwestern chicken farmers who work their hens hard and ship their products to nearby cities.  

Besides raising prices, many supermarkets have limited purchases to just a few dozen. Meanwhile, egg experts caution against hoarding. Eggs keep well but they don't last forever and can lose taste and texture in just a few weeks. Four to five weeks is the maximum recommend refrigerated storage time. 

Nationwide, the average price of a dozen eggs hit $4.95 in January, nearly twice the price of a year ago. You can blame bird flu, which has caused egg ranchers to cull their herds in hopes of preventing the outbreak from spreading.

It takes time to find and train successors to the hens who've been sacrificed to save others, assuming the outbreak is contained sometime soon. It takes several months for a fledgling hen to mature enough to get the knack of daily egg-laying. 

Some critics say California makes matter worse by requiring that laying hens have access to the great outdoors as a humane measure. Others say it's more a matter of demographics and geography; the state is heavily populated and far from other states so it relies largely on its own flocks of chickens rather than importing eggs from alien climes.

It's similar to the price of gas and other commodities, which tend to be higher in the West at least partly because of transportation costs.

Growing your own 

Many of those who just can't face the day without a smiling yolk on their plate are starting to think about raising a few hens in their backyard.

That's fine but, sadly, many backyards are so polluted that home-grown eggs may carry more toxins than you'd find in commercially available eggs. There's also the little matter of predators that like eggs and absolutely love hens. 

There's also the problem of salmonella and other infectious parasites. They can spread just as easily and quickly, if not more so, in backyard flocks as in commercial hatcheries. 

A new British study suggests that microscopic particles from brake pads could be more toxic than emissions from diesel engines. This finding raises concerns about vehicle pollution, even as the world shifts to electric cars.

Researchers discovered that certain brake pad materials—especially those containing high amounts of copper—can cause significant harm when inhaled into the lungs. These tiny particles, released when brakes wear down, can trigger inflammation and other health issues.

While past efforts to reduce vehicle pollution have focused mainly on exhaust emissions, this study highlights a growing concern: "non-exhaust" emissions, which come from brakes, tires, and road wear. These sources are now the largest contributors to vehicle-related air pollution in the UK and parts of Europe.

Key findings

Dr. James Parkin from the University of Southampton, the study’s lead author, emphasized that most people assume car pollution comes from exhaust pipes, while electric vehicles are considered “zero-emission.” However, electric cars still create pollution through friction from tires, roads, and brakes.

The study analyzed four types of brake pads, testing their effects on human lung cells:

1. Non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads – The most toxic, causing the highest level of inflammation and lung damage.
2. Ceramic brake pads – Also harmful, but slightly less than NAO pads.
3. Low-metallic brake pads – Moderately toxic.
4. Semi-metallic brake pads – Had the lowest toxicity levels.

Surprisingly, NAO brake pads were found to be more harmful than diesel exhaust particles in their effect on lung cells.

Experts weigh in

Dr. Ian Mudway from Imperial College London acknowledged the study’s value but warned against jumping to conclusions. He noted that many factors—such as different brake disc types and diesel exhaust particle variations—were not accounted for in the research. He also pointed out that tire wear and road dust should be considered as other major sources of vehicle pollution.

Professor Matthew Loxham, a project supervisor, agreed with this criticism but defended the study, explaining that the brake particles were tested under standardized conditions, making them a realistic representation of real-world pollution.

Policy implications

This research suggests that policies focusing only on reducing exhaust emissions will not be enough to solve the problem of vehicle-related pollution. As more people switch to electric cars, addressing non-exhaust sources of pollution—such as brake and tire wear—will become even more important for public health.

GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are popular with people who want to lose weight. However, there is another class of drugs that could have a similar effect.

Rutgers Health researchers have uncovered mixed outcomes for patients using lisdexamfetamine, a stimulant commonly prescribed for binge eating disorder (BED). 

The study, led by Abanoub Armanious, a master of science student at Rutgers School of Public Health, highlights the complexities of treating the most prevalent eating disorder in the United States, which affects individuals across all racial and ethnic groups.

Lisdexamfetamine, marketed as Vyvanse, initially received FDA approval for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Its subsequent approval for BED was based on its ability to reduce binge eating episodes, making it the sole FDA-approved medication for moderate to severe cases of the disorder in adults. 

However, the study, published in Psychiatry Research Communications, reveals that while some patients report reduced binge episodes and better appetite control, others experience significant side effects and inconsistent results.

"Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive eating accompanied by a loss of control, often coexisting with depression, anxiety, and obesity-related health issues like Type 2 diabetes," Morgan James, assistant professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study, said in a press release. 

Despite clinical trials affirming lisdexamfetamine's effectiveness in some cases, the study emphasizes the lack of patient-centered qualitative data on its use.

Side effects may limit effectiveness

The research involved a thematic analysis of 111 anonymous reviews from self-identified BED patients on Drugs.com. It explored the relationship between patients' perceptions of lisdexamfetamine and their ratings of its efficacy. Findings indicated that higher perceived efficacy was linked to improved focus and fewer side effects, while lower ratings were associated with concerns about diminishing therapeutic effects, insomnia, and afternoon energy loss.

Key challenges identified include the timing of the drug's effects, which often wear off by evening, leaving patients vulnerable to nighttime binge episodes. Additionally, the "crash" as the medication wears off can result in fatigue and irritability. Some patients attempted to adjust their dosage timing to align with their binge hours, but this often led to insomnia and other sleep disturbances.

The study calls for a more nuanced understanding of lisdexamfetamine's effects on BED patients, emphasizing the necessity for targeted treatment options to address this significant challenge in mental health care.

Tulsi Gabbard had barely been sworn in as the U.S. director of national intelligence before a new potential intelligence threat affecting U.S. consumers landed in her lap

Two U.S. lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, have sent Gabbard a letter warning that the United Kingdom has reportedly ordered Apple to provide a back door to iPhone users’ encrypted data.

The letter, obtained by various U.S. media outlets, pointed to reports in UK media that the country’s home secretary secretly directed the tech giant to water down the security of its iCloud backup service to give the British government access.

"Apple is reportedly gagged from acknowledging that it received such an order, and the company faces criminal penalties that prevent it from even confirming to the U.S. Congress the accuracy of these press reports," said the letter, signed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).

The UK government has engaged in crackdowns on social media, similar to the U.S. crackdown during the pandemic, seeking to limit commentary opposing various government policies. Last year, London's metropolitan police chief warned that not only could it charge British residents for posts made in the wake of a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift concert, but could also extradite and charge U.S. residents as well.

The two lawmakers, whose committee assignments include intelligence and crime, asked the new DNI to "act decisively to protect the security of Americans’ communications from dangerous, shortsighted efforts by the United Kingdom that will undermine Americans’ privacy rights and expose them to espionage by China, Russia and other adversaries."

The Trump administration's effort to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is facing a new lawsuit by advocacy groups.

President Trump and his officials have illegally taken steps to eliminate the CFPB without the permission of Congress that is harming Americans, including shutting off funding for the agency, according to allegations in a lawsuit filed by nonprofit Public Citizen Litigation Group, law firm Gupta Wessler LLP and the National Treasury Employees Union.

"Their actions have caused mass confusion and imposed significant and irreparable harm on consumers across the country," advocacy groups said in a statement.

The CFPB didn't respond to ConsumerAffairs's request for comment. 

One case involves plaintiff Eva Steege, an 83-year-old retired Lutheran pastor currently in hospice, who advocates said had been working with the CFPB staff to resolve issues with a Public Service Loan Forgiveness application that could provide her with more than $15,000 in refunds from previous payments.

Her follow-up meetings with the CFPB were cancelled after the Trump administration limited the agency's operations.

Trump's allies have said the CFPB has overreached in its authority and manipulates competition in the market.

The CFPB, founded in 2011 in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, has said it has returned more than $21 billion to people who were unfairly treated by financial institutions.

The CFPB had a budget cap of $785.4 million in the fiscal year of 2024.

Email Dieter Holger at dholger@consumeraffairs.com.

A new survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infections are more widespread among veterinary practitioners than previously thought. 

The study, which focused on bovine veterinary practitioners, underscores the potential for undetected transmission of the virus, raising important implications for public health practices.

HPAI A(H5) virus infections have been known to affect humans who are exposed to infected dairy cattle. The current outbreak of the virus was first detected in March 2024. Since then, human cases among dairy farm workers have been identified, with most infections being mild and detected through enhanced surveillance.

Key findings

The CDC's serosurvey, conducted in September 2024, involved 150 bovine veterinary practitioners with recent cattle exposure. A serosurvey is a study that involves testing blood samples from a group of individuals to detect the presence of specific antibodies.

The results showed that three practitioners had evidence of a recent HPAI A(H5) infection. Notably, two of these practitioners had no known exposure to infected animals, and one practiced in states without reported infections in cattle. These findings suggest that the virus may be present in dairy cattle in states where it has not yet been officially identified.

The CDC said the study highlights the need for systematic surveillance to rapidly identify HPAI A(H5) infections in dairy cattle, milk, and humans exposed to cattle. Such measures are crucial for ensuring appropriate hazard assessments and preventing further spread. 

The CDC has recommended offering antiviral medications and molecular testing to asymptomatic workers with high exposure to infected animals.

The serosurvey's findings indicate that HPAI A(H5) infections might be underestimated due to the lack of symptoms among infected individuals. None of the practitioners with positive serology results reported respiratory or influenza-like symptoms. 

Losses from cryptocurrency scams are on track to hit record levels in 2024 after scammers have increasingly used generative AI to trick victims.

Cryptocurrency scams are likely to cause more than $12.42 billion in losses in 2024, up from more than $11.89 billion in 2023, according to research by Chainalysis.

There have been at least more than $9.9 billion in confirmed losses from cryptocurrency scams in 2024, but that number is expected to go up as more data is analyzed, Chainalysis said.

"Large-scale scam operations are buoyed by an entire ecosystem that has emerged to facilitate fraud operations," said Jacqueline Burns Koven, head of cyber threat intelligence at Chainalysis, an interview with ConsumerAffairs.

Chainalysis said the most common types of scams are high-yield investment scams and so-called pig-butchering scams, accounting for around 50% and 30% of losses in 2024, respectively.

In cryptocurrency, high-yield investment scams are essentially Ponzi schemes that often rely on investors recruiting more investors, according to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

Scammers promising returns may advertise the scams on YouTube or other social channels and then get people to invest on a website through a cryptocurrency wallet, but it only a matter of time until these scams collapse and leave victims in their wake, DPFI said.

Pig-butchering scams, named after fattening a pig before slaughter, lure victims into making increasingly large contributions of cryptocurrency before the scammer vanishes, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

There was a 39% increase in losses from pig-butchering cryptocurrency scams in 2024 from 2023, Chainalysis said.

"The professionalization of the fraud supply chain over the years has certainly fueled the revenue increase for pig-butchering scams in particular," Burns Koven said.

What is driving cryptocurrency scams?

AI and social media media management are cheap and easily available for cryptocurrency scammers to use, Burns Koven said.

"Technologies have made fraud cheaper, more convincing and easier to scale," she said.

In particular, Burns Koven said scammers are using generative AI to create fake identifies, bypass identify verifaction and build deceptive websites and content.

"With the help of generative AI, scams become more convincing and harder to detect," she said.

Email Dieter Holger at dholger@consumeraffairs.com.

There is strength in numbers, especially when it comes to renting an apartment. Two or three roommates can share the cost of the rent. Living alone, however, carries what is known as the “singles tax.” And that tax increased in 2024.

The "singles tax," which represents the additional cost solo renters incur for a one-bedroom apartment compared to sharing with roommates or partners, has reached a new peak of $7,562, as revealed by a recent Zillow Rentals analysis. This financial burden equates to over 1,300 lattes or more than 12 years of premium dating app subscriptions, underscoring the hefty price of solitude.

The singles tax has surged by more than $450 from the previous year, mirroring the broader trend of escalating rents nationwide. For those who choose to share their living space, the financial benefits are significant, with couples or roommates saving an average of $15,123 annually. This data highlight the economic advantages of cohabitation, whether for love or financial prudence.

New York City has the highest singles tax

New York City continues to top the list for the highest singles tax, with solo renters facing an annual premium of $20,100, according to the analysis. This figure reaffirms the city's reputation as the most expensive place for independent living, where the cost of autonomy is exceptionally steep.

While the top five cities with the highest singles tax remain largely unchanged, Boston has made a notable ascent, moving from fifth place in 2024 to fourth in 2025, surpassing Washington, D.C. This shift reflects Boston's increasing rental affordability challenges, with the city's typical rent price standing at $3,002 as of December 2024, about 53% above the national average.

"Living alone offers complete control over one's space, allowing renters to personalize their environment, enjoy their favorite music, and set the thermostat to their liking," Emily McDonald, Zillow's rental trends expert, said in a news release. 

"However, the financial implications of solo renting are significant and should be carefully considered. Understanding the full cost of living alone can help renters make informed decisions about whether it's the right choice for their lifestyle and budget."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning to consumers regarding the Crasts 5-in-1 High Power Multi-Functional Curler and Straightener hair dryer brushes.

These products pose a significant risk of electrocution and serious injury due to the absence of an integrated immersion protection device, which is a violation of federal safety regulations for hair dryers.

The hair dryer brushes, which have been available for purchase online through various e-commerce platforms, including us.shein.com, from July 2024 to October 2024, were sold at prices ranging from $6 to $455. 

The products are identifiable by the "Crasts" branding on the handle and packaging, and the model number MD-11 is printed on the packaging. The hair dryers feature a navy blue color with brass accents and are marketed for both family and salon use, offering functionalities for drying, straightening, and curling hair.

Despite being notified by the CPSC about the non-compliance with U.S. safety standards, the manufacturer, Guangzhou Crasts Hair Equipments Co. Ltd. of China, has not responded to requests for a product recall. As a result, the CPSC strongly advises consumers to immediately stop using these hair dryers. To ensure safety, users should unplug the devices, cut the cords, and dispose of them properly in the trash.

Consumers are also encouraged to report any incidents of injury or product defects related to these hair dryers on the CPSC's website at www.SaferProducts.gov. The product was manufactured in China and represents a serious hazard to users due to its design flaws.

The CPSC's proactive warning aims to prevent potential accidents and ensure consumer safety by eliminating the use of these hazardous products from households and salons.

Spam calls and texts continue to annoy Americans, and worse, they’re costing people money. Telephone companies should do more to combat the problem, U.S. PIRG insists.

According to Truecaller’s U.S. Spam and Scam Report, 92% of Americans received spam calls in 2023, and 86% got spam texts. Even more alarming, 56 million Americans lost money to scam calls.

Despite laws passed by Congress and state investigations to stop scammers, phone companies still aren’t doing enough to protect their customers. A new report by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, called “Who’s Calling?”, graded 24 of the largest phone companies on their efforts to fight spam calls and texts. The results weren’t great.

“It’s outrageous that these billion-dollar companies aren’t using every tool available to stop scammers,” said Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog Director at U.S. PIRG and the report’s author. “Even when we don’t fall for scams, we waste hours dealing with these unwanted calls, disrupting our work, family time, and relaxation.”

Phone companies could do more

Many companies aren’t providing free scam-blocking services that could help customers avoid fraud. For example, phone companies could warn customers about suspicious calls or block calls that don’t display Caller ID—but many don’t.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) allows companies to offer these services, yet half of them earned a D or F in the report.

The report outlines 10 key services phone companies should offer to protect customers, plus two additional services for text message security. The good news? Some companies scored well. The bad news? Many did not.

Of the 24 companies in the survey:

• Five companies scored A’s on services offered; three scored A’s overall.
• Two companies scored B’s on services offered; five scored B’s overall.
• 12 earned D’s or F’s on services, and 13 earned D’s or F’s overall.
• As for the big four cellular companies’ overall grades:, AT&T and T-Mobile scored B’s, U.S. Cellular scored a C and Verizon scored a D.

“We’ve been abused by robocalls for 15 years, yet the problem has not appreciably diminished,” Murray said. “These companies are our first line of defense, and we should demand better.”

Email James Hood at jhood@consumeraffairs.com

Credit-card debt in the U.S. hit another record after an unusually-high increase following the holidays.

Debt from credit cards reached $1.21 trillion in the quarter ending in December after growing around $45 billion from the previous quarter, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Thursday.

"We saw a larger-than-usual pop this holiday season," said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate.

Credit card balances almost always rise from year to year, but usually balances fall in the beginning of the year since Americans are detoxing from holiday spending and use tax returns to pay down debt, Rossman said.

He said it is critical to pay down debt as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

"My favorite payoff tip is to sign up for a 0% balance transfer card," Rossman said. "These allow your to transfer your high-cost debt and avoid interest for up to 21 months."