Consumer World Original

Mouse Print*-- Google Home Speaker Upgrade Forces You Into a Trial Premium Plan

Google Home Mini Smart Speakers are an absolute marvel answering questions and providing reminders orally. Now they can be upgraded free to have even more amazing AI capabilities. However, the upgrade routine in the Google Home app may trap you into a related recurring monthly subscription if you don't cancel within 30 days. That story is in Mouse Print* this week.

Should You Lock Your Social Security Number?

Almost every week, some database or other is breached and our personal information becomes exposed. One of your most important forms of ID is your social security number, and if a crook uses it wrongfully there could be negative consequences for you. Now there are a couple of free ways to "lock" your social security number, but there are pros and cons in doing so.

  ADV

---

Updated daily

powered by Surfing Waves

---

Heavy Metal and Other Contaminants Found in Many Dog Foods

The Clean Label Project analyzed 79 leading dog food products for contaminants, including heavy metals, bisphenols (BPA, BPS), phthalates, glyphosate, pesticides, and more by conducting over 11,000 tests. Dry dog food had the vast majority of the problems, while fresh and frozen dog food were the "cleanest." The full study names the products tested, but provides no brand-specific results (thanks for nothing, guys) other than to ballyhoo the "Clean 16."

---

Consumer Alert

Colorado Mulls Bill Banning High Prices at Locations With Captive Audiences Like at Airports, Performance and Sports Venues

The Colorado legislature says consumers are being ripped off by companies that operate locations at airports, stadiums, hospitals, concert venues, and prisons and that needs to stop. A survey of 80 items at the Denver airport found that nearly three-quarters of them were selling items for more than 15% above the prices the same chains charge elsewhere in the area. For example, Starbucks' prices at the airport were 30-50% higher than their already outrageous prices. Here is a separate investigative report about much higher prices at Denver's airport over the past 20 years have been.

---

PAYWALL Note: We try to feature free stories that are fully readable. If you are blocked reading a Wall Street Journal story, get a free, renewable 3-day PASS. And if you hit the New York Times paywall, here is a three-day pass you can sign up for. For other blocked stories try a different browser and clear cookies of that site from it. Some sites may block you based on your repeated use of their site, or convert previously free stories to pay stories without notice. Some MSN links when viewed on a cellphone omit the regular "continue reading" button and require app use.