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Consumer Watchdog Report Shows That Less Than 1% of Californians Exercise Privacy Rights with Data Brokers

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Data Brokers Collect Your Location, Share It With Companies and Law Enforcement

Opting Out Isn’t Easy But Here’s How That’s Changing

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Despite the strongest state laws in the nation empowering consumers to take control of their personal information, less than 1 percent of Californians have exercised their rights with major data brokers in 2023, according to a report by Consumer Watchdog analyzing new California data broker reporting requirements.

Consumer Watchdog broke down the opt out numbers of some of the biggest data brokers in the world: Experian, Acxiom, and LiveRamp. Per the Delete Act, data brokers operating in California as of July must now annually report the number of requests to delete, correct, access, limit and opt out of collected data.

Read Consumer Watchdog’s report “Data Stalkers” here.

Watch a Consumer Alert here.

This summer, the data broker National Public Data was subject to perhaps the biggest hack in history, exposing 2.7 billion pieces of data, including the social security number of potentially every American.

“Consumers are at a greater risk for identity theft with data brokers, but they don’t have a simple way to opt out,” said Justin Kloczko, tech and privacy advocate for Consumer Watchdog.

“Part of the reason Californians aren’t opting in high numbers is because these rights aren’t user friendly, as opting out has to be done website by website, and that takes forever,” said Kloczko.

Starting in 2026, however, Californians will be able to delete all the data a broker collects about them in one step, under Senate Bill 362, the Delete Act (Becker), signed last year.

“The 2026 universal opt out will make it much easier to delete data,” said Kloczko. “Governor Newsom also has the opportunity to sign legislation requiring browsers to send opt out signals, allowing consumers to exercise rights in one step.”

Assembly Bill 3048 (Lowenthal) would force web browsers to allow users to signal all their privacy preferences for data collected directly by businesses. Currently Chrome and Safari don’t allow that. Data brokers also collect first-party data, not just third-party data, said the advocacy group.

In California, close to 500 data brokers are in operation, and residents can look up a list of data brokers, see what categories of personal information they collect, and where to delete personal information.

Data brokers may have a lower profile than other companies that vacuum up data like Facebook or Google, but they know more about us, including social security numbers and geolocation. And they share data with tech, insurance and financial services companies, as well as government agencies, the nonprofit found.

Kloczko requested the data held on him by Experian, Acxiom, and LiveRamp, and the results were alarming.

“These data brokers keep incredibly detailed profiles on me spanning hundreds of pages,” said Kloczko. “They contain inferences about my finances, family, eating and exercise habits, down to how likely I am to get a vaccine or subscribe to a streaming service. And a lot of it is wrong.”

The reports made numerous incorrect inferences about Kloczko’s ethnicity, finances, and consumer preferences.

From most tech companies—Amazon, Netflix, Google and Uber—to auto manufacturers—Toyota, Nissan, Chevy—to fast food chains—McDonalds, Starbucks and Subway—data brokers make predictions about you for virtually every popular brand. Companies want to know every detail about you with the hopes of keeping you glued to your phone so you buy products, said Consumer Watchdog.

One data broker, LiveRamp, said it sends data to Amazon, Disney, Fox, Comcast, Google, Uber and Warner Bros, among others, Consumer Watchdog found. Experian said it sources geolocation data from apps on your phone, and discloses it to “law enforcement,” “financial services,” “insurance companies” and “regulatory authorities,” among others.

You can access your data from LiveRamp and delete it here.

To exercise your data rights with Experian, go here.

For Acxiom, go here.

Data brokers collect and sell dossiers on hundreds of millions of consumers and make billions in profit. Experian has data on 1 billion people and makes $7 billion in annual profit. Equifax has data on 800 million people and makes $5 billion in revenue. LiveRamp collects data on 700 million people and makes $660 million in revenue. Acxiom has data on 190 million individuals and makes $617 million in revenue.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-watchdog-report-shows-that-less-than-1-of-californians-exercise-privacy-rights-with-data-brokers-302246936.html

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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RedThread Report Reveals 50% Drop in L&D’s Involvement in Strategic Discussions, Offers Framework for Reclaiming Influence

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November 14, 2024

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RedThread Research’s latest report, Hope Isn’t a Plan: Building a Progressive L&D Strategy, highlights a 50% drop in Learning & Development involvement in business strategy discussions over the past two years, signaling a shift from strategic partner to reactive function. The report also provides a comprehensive five-part framework to help L&D leaders articulate their strategy, collaborate effectively across departments, and balance stability with flexibility.

WOODSIDE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — RedThread Research has published its latest report, “Hope Isn’t a Plan: Building a Progressive L&D Strategy,” which underscores the declining strategic role of Learning & Development (L&D) functions and offers a comprehensive framework for leaders seeking to recalibrate their strategies.

“L&D needs to rethink its strategy or risk becoming irrelevant. More than just talking about being strategic, they need to align, act on, and operationalize it. That means doing things differently, thinking more strategically, and embedding learning into the heart of the organization.”

The study reveals a sharp 50% drop in L&D’s involvement in business strategy discussions over the past two years, signaling an alarming shift from strategic partner to reactive supporter. The research also shows that L&D’s involvement in workforce planning discussions similarly declined sharply over this same period.

“L&D needs to reclaim its strategic voice or risk becoming irrelevant,” said Dani Johnson, Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research. “More than just talking about being strategic, they need to align, act on, and operationalize it. That means doing things differently, thinking more strategically, and embedding learning into the heart of the organization.”

The report highlights several pressing insights, including:

Declining Strategic Influence: L&D’s diminishing role in strategy discussions has led to a more tactical and reactive function in many organizations.The Importance of Articulating Strategy: Many L&D leaders lack a clearly communicated and well-defined strategy, further compounding their inability to respond effectively to changing business needs.Collaboration as a Cornerstone: Successful employee development requires structured collaboration and cooperation across departments, challenging entrenched mindsets about L&D’s role. L&D functions need a plan for how to best collaborate with other business functions.Balancing Stability with Flexibility: While adaptability is essential, the report argues that stability also forms the foundation for long-term success in L&D efforts.A Five-Part Strategic Framework: The study provides a detailed framework comprising five core elements of an L&D Strategy—Organizational Alignment, Employee Impact, Operations and Governance, Tech and Data, and Stakeholder Engagement.

“Learning and Development can’t afford to play it safe,” added Johnson. “They must be prepared to continually evolve— locking down what works while still flexing to meet what comes next. And they need to double down on strategy to show how that connects back to outcomes — and prove that L&D is not just a cost center but a critical driver of success.”

For access to an infographic of the framework and other exclusive research, navigate to https://members.redthreadresearch.com/spaces/12680089/feed and register for a complimentary Starter Tier membership in the RedThread Research community.

For companies and individuals interested in exploring this research more deeply, RedThread offers exclusive membership opportunities. Join the RedThread research community or the Tech Consortium by visiting the RedThread website (https://www.redthreadresearch.com) or reaching out to RedThread by emailing hello@redthreadresearch.com. 

About RedThread Research

At RedThread Research, we get it.

Sure, we’re experts in performance, people analytics, learning, and D&I – and we’re well-versed in the technologies that support them. But we’re also truth-seekers and storytellers in an industry often short on substance, and too full of #!%. Our mission (indeed, our very reason for existing) is to cut through the noise, and amplify what’s good. We look for the connections (or red threads) between people, data, and ideas – even among seemingly unrelated concepts. The result is high-quality, unbiased, transformative foresight that helps you build a stronger business.

To learn more, visit https://www.redthreadresearch.com.

Heather Gilmartin
RedThread Research
646-275-0742
heathergilmartin@redthreadresearch.com

Media Contact

Heather Gilmartin Adams, RedThreadResearch, 6462750742, heathergilmartin@redthreadresearch.com, https://redthreadresearch.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/redthread-report-reveals-50-drop-in-lds-involvement-in-strategic-discussions-offers-framework-for-reclaiming-influence-302306028.html

SOURCE RedThreadResearch; RedThreadResearch

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SONOR INVESTMENTS LIMITED APPOINTS NEW INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER

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November 14, 2024

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TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2024 /CNW/ – Sonor Investments Limited (“Sonor”) announced today that Fanny Chantal Grenier was appointed Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Sonor effective November 12, 2024 to replace Rosabell Chung Hun who resigned from this position as of such date.

Michael Gardiner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonor, stated “we would like to express our gratitude for Rosabell Chung Hun’s significant contributions and dedication to our company”. He went on to say “for the immediate future, Fanny Chantal Grenier is to be appointed as the interim Chief Financial Officer  and Treasurer of the company until we have a permanent replacement. We are in the process of examining our human resources plan that will be discussed and presented at our next board meeting”.

Ms. Grenier presently holds the position of President of Fairwater Capital Corporation, is a qualified CA CPA and brings extensive experience in financial leadership. She has a proven track record in advancing fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Sonor Investments Limited

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Odyssey Impact’s New Grant Opportunity: $2,500 – $25,000 for Local Nonprofits — But Don’t Bother If You JUST Want to Raise Awareness

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November 14, 2024

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Odyssey Impact is awarding grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to nonprofits (or those with a verified nonprofit fiscal sponsor) with creative and unique ideas for tackling local challenges and bringing people together in person. The Connected Communities Grants are simple and streamlined… no epic application process and no weeks-long recap reports. The grants were created to help bring about impactful and meaningful change that connects and strengthens local communities. The deadline to apply is December 11, 2024 and winners will be announced in January 2025.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — If you’re tired of JUST TALKING ABOUT A PROBLEM, WE’RE WITH YOU. WE WANT TO FIND SOLUTIONS. And if you’re also tired of filling out long applications, running “awareness” campaigns, or spending weeks cobbling together post-grant reports, Odyssey Impact® has some great news for you.

Through the simple and streamlined Connected Communities Grants, Odyssey Impact® is offering up to $25,000 to nonprofits (or those with a verified nonprofit fiscal sponsor) who want to help solve problems in their communities and bring people together in person.

We’re ditching all that in our new SIMPLE AND STREAMLINED Connected Communities Grants, offering up to $25,000 to nonprofits (or those with a verified nonprofit fiscal sponsor) who want to help SOLVE PROBLEMS in their communities.

Grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000 for applicants with CREATIVE and UNIQUE ideas for tackling local challenges and bringing people together IN PERSON. You know what your town needs and we want to help you make it happen.

Our Mandate is Simple: We want creative ways to help connect people in real-time, in meaningful ways.

Odyssey Impact Board President, Riaz Patel, and co-founder of ConnectEffect, underscores the critical importance of real, in-person connection:

“We’re facing an unprecedented epidemic of isolation, alienation, and loneliness. We don’t need more awareness or research to know it’s a massive problem. We need bold, innovative solutions from creative thinkers to reignite a sense of community across America.”

Interested in applying? Awesome! But here’s what we don’t want:

We’re not looking for “scalable” projects. We ARE looking for local and connected.No “awareness campaigns.” We want to help you take real action instead.No “virtual” events. We are funding in-person, live human stuff.Skip the epic applications. We don’t have the time for those either.No weeks-long recap reports. We’d rather see your great pics and videos.No galas, golf tournaments, or fundraisers. We want project- and program-focused ideas.

Got something cool and community-focused in mind? Perfect! We want unique ideas that make sense for your community, and we want you to spell it out clearly (without all the fluff) — how your project will connect people, foster innovation, and bring the community together.

We need this now more than ever, and if you agree, you are our kind of grantee applicant.

You can apply now through December 11th at odyssey-impact.org,

Winners will be announced in January 2025.

Together, we can truly create impactful and meaningful change that connects and strengthens our local communities.

About Odyssey Impact®

Odyssey Impact® ignites creative, actionable solutions that drive real transformation and connection at the local level. By teaming up with innovative community leaders and those who care about their communities, we’re funding projects that are not only visionary, but also perfectly tailored to meet each community’s unique needs.

Through these efforts, Odyssey Impact is laying the groundwork for a future where real community-driven initiatives create much-needed impact & change and bring us all closer together.

Media Contact

Erin Carenzo, Odyssey Impact, 1 8183817336, erin@carenzoagency.com, https://odyssey-impact.org/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/odyssey-impacts-new-grant-opportunity-2-500—25-000-for-local-nonprofits–but-dont-bother-if-you-just-want-to-raise-awareness-302305983.html

SOURCE Odyssey Impact; Odyssey Impact

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