Full House? Optimize Your WiFi Network for Working at Home
CR's expert tips to improve WiFi performance
Full House? Optimize Your WiFi Network for Working at Home
CR's expert tips to improve WiFi performance
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Latest From Consumer Reports
Surgeon General’s Landmark Report on Smoking
Surgeon General’s Landmark Report on Smoking
For a decade, CR conducted independent testing and research to highlight the dangers of cigarettes. The Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health used CR’s work to draft its landmark report.
U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts
U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts
CR tests showed two-thirds of seat belts failed basic safety and durability tests, leading CR to call for better belts and for federal standards that incorporated crash testing. The government later mandated them.
Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats
Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats
When CR first crash-tested car seats, 12 out of 15 were rated Not Acceptable. After CR published its findings, the government required manufacturers to certify that their seats would pass a similar test.
Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides
Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides
In a study of U.S. Department of Agriculture data, CR found pesticide levels in some fruits and vegetables were too high. Shortly after, one of the pesticides was banned for use on food crops commonly consumed by children.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created
CR helped to mobilize support in Congress to create the CFPB, an independent agency responsible for overseeing the financial industry with powers to police abusive practices and to enact new consumer protections.
Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products
Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products
CR was one of the first groups to test food packaging for BPA. After working to pass bans in several states, the FDA finally announced a federal ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups (2012) and infant formula packaging (2013).
A Win on Backup Cameras
A Win on Backup Cameras
After years of CR’s advocating for standards to address the problem of blind zones behind cars and trucks, the Department of Transportation finally required backup cameras in all vehicles less than 10,000 pounds by 2018.
Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked
Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked
Four of the largest health insurers were seeking separate mergers. CR raised concerns about how the move would cut choices, drive up costs and compromise quality, pressing the Justice Department to block them.
First "Digital Standard" Tests of Smart TVs
First "Digital Standard" Tests of Smart TVs
CR’s evaluation of smart TVs using our Digital Standard found that millions of TVs can be controlled by hackers exploiting easy-to-find security flaws.
Warning Consumers to Avoid Romaine Lettuce
Warning Consumers to Avoid Romaine Lettuce
In the wake of repeated E.coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce, CR came out ahead of public officials in recommending people avoid all romaine lettuce. CR’s position compelled regulators, including the CDC, to issue strong warnings to consumers.
Steering Automakers Toward Making Safer Cars
Steering Automakers Toward Making Safer Cars
In response to CR’s removal of the Tesla Model 3’s recommended status due to braking distance, Tesla issued an OTA update—the first time a software update was used to change a car’s physical performance. The car earned back its recommended status.
Advancing Laws to Protect Consumer Privacy
Advancing Laws to Protect Consumer Privacy
The California Consumer Privacy Act provided key individual privacy rights, such as the right to stop the sale of personal info. CR fought efforts to weaken the legislation, mobilizing CR members to call on legislators to enact privacy protections.
Advancing and Protecting Digital Consumer Rights
Advancing and Protecting Digital Consumer Rights
CR launched the Digital Lab–a bold initiative to advance and protect consumer rights in the digital era by focusing on testing connected products and platforms for hackability, digital privacy, and how responsibly our data is handled.
Dialing Back Robocalls
Dialing Back Robocalls
CR spent years working with consumers and Congress to curb the pestilence of automated phone calls, many of which are initiated by fraudsters. The bipartisan TRACED Act was signed into law in December 2019, ushering in powerful consumer protections.
Fighting Hidden Cable Fees
Fighting Hidden Cable Fees
CR testified before Congress about cable TV fees, following years of advocacy and research. Thousands of CR members contacted lawmakers, and Congress passed a law requiring providers to disclose the total price of service before a consumer signs up.
Protecting Kids & Infants From Dangerous Products
Protecting Kids & Infants From Dangerous Products
CR’s investigation into the safety of inclined infant sleepers linked to dozens of deaths led to the recall of over 5 million sleepers. Following CR’s outreach, several retailers and online marketplaces said they would stop selling the sleepers.
Pulling Water With Excessive Arsenic From Stores
Pulling Water With Excessive Arsenic From Stores
Keurig Dr Pepper withdrew Peñafiel Mineral Spring Water, imported from Mexico, from U.S. stores after CR found it contained nearly double the federal limits for arsenic. The FDA flagged the water for arsenic as early as 2013 but issued no recall.