Not only do repair restrictions create extra cost for consumers, but they feed into massive amounts of electronic waste. We're calling for legislative reforms so we can fix our stuff.
Not only do repair restrictions create extra cost for consumers, but they feed into massive amounts of electronic waste. We're calling for legislative reforms so we can fix our stuff.
Consumer Protection | U.S. PIRG
Virtual Wallets, Real Complaints
New report documents consumer complaints to the CFPB about digital wallets and peer-to-peer (P2P) apps.
Blocking Rooftop Solar
The companies, lobbyists and front groups undermining local clean energy
Solid Waste
Shareholder advocacy wins plastic commitment from Target
In response to a shareholder proposal filed by Green Century and As You Sow, Target agreed on May 5 to set a goal for eliminating virgin plastic from its private brand packaging for fast-moving goods. Green Century is, like PIRG, a member of The Public Interest Network.
Solid Waste
FTC report finds 'scant evidence' to justify repair restrictions
Manufacturers too often prevent consumers from repairing the products they own, resulting in more waste and more cost to consumers. An FTC report now asserts that manufacturer justifications for repair restrictions have "scant evidence" to support them.
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News & Research
News Release | US PIRG
In an effort to protect infants from unsafe consumer products, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021.
News Release | PennPIRG Education Fund
Consumer complaints about peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps such as PayPal, Venmo and Square have surged during the pandemic year. PennPIRG Education Fund analyzed this growing problem for "Virtual Wallets, Real Complaints" a new analysis of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) Consumer Complaint Database.
Report | PennPIRG Education Fund
Consumers are increasingly using digital payment apps -- Venmo, Cash App and Zelle are a few -- for convenience. The apps were originally marketed as a way for friends to split expenses. However, the ease of opening peer-to-peer (P2P) accounts, the ease of obtaining information about other users and a variety of ways to trick consumers have created new fraud risks to users.
Blog Post
Consumers increasingly are using digital peer-to-peer payment (P2P) apps for convenience. However, that convenience can quickly turn to inconvenience as the result of these apps’ often-confusing design, poor customer service and propensity for being used for scams and fraud. The number of written complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about these apps and other financial tools in the “mobile or digital wallet” category has skyrocketed in recent years, reaching new heights in 2021.
Cover photo by grinvalds via IStock
News Release | U.S. PIRG
The Fortune 50 retailer Target announced a new goal Tuesday to reduce its use of virgin plastic 20 percent by 2025 across its own brand frequency products. It is part of a new sustainability strategy called Target Forward and covers such key categories as household cleaning, personal care and beauty.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.