Consumer Protection

What the Mayo Clinic AI Whistleblower Case Means for Your Health Data A recent report from The Cool Down alleges that a Mayo Clinic employee flagged an AI tool with a 67% error rate—and that administrators hid the finding and eventually pushed her out. If the story holds up under further reporting, it would be a sobering reminder that even prestigious medical institutions can mishandle AI oversight. For everyday consumers who rely on AI-driven health advice, insurance estimates, or even home assistant diagnoses, the case raises uncomfortable questions: How often do the tools we trust get things wrong? And what can we do about it? ...

What the Meat AI Tool Backlash Teaches About Privacy in a Rush to Market A new AI tool from the company Meat was pulled shortly after launch following a wave of privacy complaints. The incident, reported by WCNC, highlights how quickly AI products can land in hot water when data handling practices aren’t made clear to users. For everyday consumers, it’s a useful reminder that not every shiny new tool is worth the privacy trade‑off. ...

Nearly one in three Americans has faced an online shopping scam – here’s how to stay safe If you’ve ever clicked a link for a deal that seemed too good to be true, or sent money through a payment app only to never receive the item, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about one in three U.S. adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud is not an edge case — it’s a routine risk for anyone who buys goods or services online. ...

AI Coding Is Everywhere—But Is It Putting Your Data at Risk? You use dozens of apps and websites every day. What you probably don’t think about is how the code behind them is written. More and more, developers are relying on AI coding tools that can auto-complete, suggest, and even generate entire chunks of software. These tools make building apps faster, but they also introduce security risks that can affect you—the person using the app. ...

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: BBB Tips Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, and while shoppers look for deals, scammers are preparing their own offers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a predictable surge in online shopping scams during major sales events. If you plan to shop this Prime Day, it helps to know what to watch for before you click “buy.” ...

Prime Day Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Shop Safely Big sales events like Amazon Prime Day are a magnet for bargain hunters. Unfortunately, they’re also a magnet for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning about the uptick in online shopping scams that tend to spike around these high-traffic shopping days. With fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods circulating, a little caution can save you both money and frustration. ...

Shop Safe on Prime Day: How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Amazon Prime Day has become one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. Millions of consumers hunt for deals on electronics, home goods, and other products, often under tight time limits. Unfortunately, that same sense of urgency and excitement also attracts scammers. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. Scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning that phishing emails, fake deals, and lookalike websites tend to spike during this period. If you plan to shop, knowing what to watch for can save you money and frustration. ...

What the Muse AI Fiasco Means for Your Instagram Privacy Introduction In early July 2026, Meta launched a new AI image-generation tool called Muse AI. Within days, it was gone. The company pulled the feature after a swift and loud backlash from users, privacy advocates, and even regulators. For anyone who posts photos on Instagram, the episode raised a simple question: how safe are your images when Meta experiments with generative AI? ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever clicked a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 32% of U.S. adults — a figure that underscores just how common these schemes have become. ...