Technology

Congress Ignoring Small Businesses in Rush to Pass Data Privacy Bill

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

American Privacy Rights Act to Increase Costs and Inconvenience for Millions

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Internet for Growth, representing more than 2,000 small businesses depending on digital advertising, expressed grave concerns about anti-advertising provisions in the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) H.R. 8818, which will undergo markup by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee today.

Internet for Growth’s leadership and members said that despite their outreach to Congress, APRA’s worst provisions remain. Loopholes in exemptions for small businesses would expose them to civil lawsuits under a new “private right of action,” while APRA would eliminate ordinary customer data and advertising practices. Proposed data minimization rules define digital advertising as non-essential.

“Small businesses have been pleading for a national privacy law that preempts complicated state laws, but shockingly, APRA incentivizes more and duplicates enforcement at the state and federal levels. A misunderstanding of digital advertising and vague wording guarantee ever-expanding internet regulations and a flood of lawsuits,” said Internet for Growth’s Executive Director Brendan Thomas.

“Digital advertising is essential to small businesses and everyone’s internet experience, creating speed, personalization and convenience,” he said. “Like the majority of Americans, we support data privacy and security, but the average web user will not like the effects of this bill, which will increase costs and inconvenience for small businesses and consumers, and hurt innovation, jobs and economic growth.”

During National Small Business Week last month, Internet for Growth led a delegation to Congress in Washington, D.C., to advocate for digital advertising. To date, the organization has conducted nearly 100 meetings with congressional offices. Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators across the country are voicing their concerns in local news outlets and have generated thousands of letters to Congress urging changes to APRA.

Frank Swoboda, founder and CEO of Corner Booth Media in Spokane, Wash., and an Internet for Growth Advisory Council member, has met several times with the office of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and lead sponsor of APRA, to express his concerns.

“Digital advertising is a vital resource for small businesses, giving us equal footing to stand on as we compete against larger corporations,” said Swoboda. “Recently, I joined with other small business owners to travel to Washington D.C., and warn Congress, including my representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, of the dangers present in this bill. Washington State depends on digital advertising to support businesses, nonprofits, and much more. This legislation continues to miss the mark and would set us back tremendously.”

Internet for Growth, an initiative of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, promotes the transformative role the advertising-supported internet plays in empowering America’s small businesses, helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. Supported by a diverse community of over 700 IAB members including marketers, agencies, publishers, platforms, and ad tech providers, as well as hundreds of small businesses and creators, we highlight the benefits digital advertising delivers to local economies, expanding opportunities for innovators to reach markets far beyond their neighborhoods. Our work ensures people understand the limitless opportunity the internet provides for creativity and commerce, fair competition, and connecting with consumers on mutually shared values and interests, no matter their background or geography.

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SOURCE Internet for Growth

Technology

hand2mind Launches New and Exclusive Back-to-School Products at Target

Published

21 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Teacher-author collaborations with Tara West and Brooke Brown support hands-on math, literacy, and STEM learning

VERNON HILLS, Ill., June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — hand2mind , a leading provider of hands-on learning tools for classrooms and homes, is launching a lineup of new and exclusive back-to-school products at Target, including classroom-ready tools created with its teacher-author partners Tara West and Brooke Brown.

The product lineup gives educators and parents easy access to engaging, hands-on learning tools designed to support math, literacy, STEM, and social-emotional learning. Select products will be available exclusively at Target, including new teacher-created items designed to help students build skills through exploration, problem-solving, and active play.

West and Brown are part of hand2mind’s growing network of teacher-author partners, bringing classroom expertise and educator-developed approaches to hands-on learning products for young learners. West is the creator of Little Minds at Work®, and her early literacy curriculum, Guided Phonics + Beyond®, is included on three state-approved lists. Brown is the creator of Teach Outside the Box® and STEM Bins® and is known for helping teachers make STEM exploration accessible, flexible, and engaging in everyday classroom settings.

“Teachers are looking for low-prep classroom tools that are easy to implement, developmentally appropriate and rooted in how children actually learn,” said Elana Woldenberg Ruffman, CMO at hand2mind. “By working with teacher-authors like Tara West and Brooke Brown, hand2mind is bringing classroom-tested ideas to Target shelves in a way that supports educators during the back-to-school season and beyond.”

The Target-exclusive products include:

STEM Bins® by Brooke Brown Builder Pack ($24.99): Brown’s first product available at a major retailer; this set includes building materials and open-ended task cards that encourage students to design, create and problem-solve. It is designed for early finishers, centers, morning work, and makerspace time. Little Minds at Work® Early Math Activity Set ($21.99): Featuring West’s Pip the Pup character, this hands-on set helps students practice foundational math skills through matching, sorting, patterning, framing and comparing activities. The set includes 54 Pip the Pup counters and 20 double-sided activity cards. Little Minds at Work® Game Tray Activity Set ($19.99): This single-student activity set includes six double-sided math and literacy game boards and accessories for up to four players. The tray fits 8.5-by-11-inch paper, allowing teachers to swap in worksheets, game boards or custom activities. Little Minds at Work® Alphabet and Letter Sounds ($19.99): This hands-on activity set helps young learners practice CVC words, 26 core letter sounds, and early spelling skills. With colorful, reusable materials and engaging activities, children can identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds while strengthening fine motor skills through play.

In addition to the Target-exclusive products, hand2mind’s back-to-school product lineup at Target includes a range of educational tools that support literacy, math, social-emotional learning, sensory play and hands-on skill-building.

The hand2mind back-to-school product lineup is available at Target stores and Target.com.

About hand2mind®  

At hand2mind®, we believe children learn best by doing. That’s why, for over 60 years, we’ve been creating hands-on learning tools and educational toys that help kids build skills through exploration, problem-solving, and active play. From math and STEM to literacy and social-emotional learning, our screen-free educational tool and toys support engaged skill development in grades PreK and up. We inspire curiosity, build confidence and make learning fun—at home, in the classroom, and beyond. Unlock the power of hands-on learning by visiting www.hand2mind.com or following the brand on TikTok @hand2mind, Facebook @hand2mindinc, and Instagram @hand2mindinc.

MEDIA CONTACT
Olivia Flores
2139888344
416893@email4pr.com

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SOURCE hand2mind

Technology

Quick Fix Max™ ️Is Here, And It’s Everything Users Have Been Asking For

Published

21 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

LAS VEGAS, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quick Fix Synthetic, an authorized distributor of Quick Fix products, today announced the availability of Quick Fix Max 4 oz, a newly released addition to the Quick Fix product line from Spectrum Labs. Designed to offer increased volume and a ready-to-use standalone bottle format, Quick Fix Max uses the same Quick Fix 6.4 formula trusted for more than 25 years.

Quick Fix Max is a prefilled, premixed 4-ounce synthetic urine solution formulated to simulate key urine characteristics, including pH balance, specific gravity, creatinine levels, urea, and uric acid.

The product includes a temperature strip, heating pad, and batch verification code to support product authenticity and consistency. It introduces a larger standalone format for customers who prefer a simple bottle configuration while continuing to use the current Quick Fix 6.4 formula.

“Customers have consistently looked for a larger standalone Quick Fix option,” said by Chris Kennedy from Quick Fix Synthetic. “Quick Fix Max expands the existing lineup with the same trusted 6.4 formula in a format that offers more volume and better overall value.”

Quick Fix Max is a larger-volume format designed to offer improved per-ounce value while maintaining the same formula specifications and batch verification process customers already rely on.

Each Quick Fix Max package includes:

4 fl oz of Quick Fix 6.4 synthetic urineTemperature strip attached directly to the bottleHeat pad designed to maintain temperature for several hoursPrinted batch code for authenticity verificationTwo-year shelf life when stored correctly

Quick Fix Max has been officially released by Spectrum Labs and is now available through quickfixsynthetic.com and authorized distributors carrying official Quick Fix products.

Quick Fix Synthetic emphasized that purchasing through authorized distributors helps ensure customers receive authentic products stored under proper conditions, reducing the risk of expired or counterfeit units commonly associated with unverified third-party sellers and online marketplaces.

The company also noted that every Quick Fix Max bottle includes a printed batch number that can be verified through the official Quick Fix batch validator to confirm authenticity and expiration status before use.

Quick Fix Max is intended for novelty, calibration, educational, and laboratory simulation purposes only. Customers are encouraged to review all applicable local and state laws before purchase or use.

About Quick Fix Synthetic
Quick Fix Synthetic is an authorized distributor of Quick Fix products, providing customers with verified formula versions, batch authentication support, and direct customer service. The company focuses on educational resources, product authenticity, and discreet customer support while offering access to the latest Quick Fix formulations and related simulation products.

For more information, visit https://www.quickfixsynthetic.com.

Contact
Chris Kennedy
Manager
416750@email4pr.com
1-866-420-4574

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quick-fix-max-is-here-and-its-everything-users-have-been-asking-for-302801649.html

SOURCE Quick Fix Synthetic

Technology

Aspirion Achieves HITRUST r2 Certification, Reinforcing Trust and Security Across Its AI-Powered Revenue Cycle Platforms

Published

21 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

HITRUST Certification validates that Aspirion’s Compass and DocIQ AI platforms meet rigorous cybersecurity and data protection standards through independent assessment and assurance.

COLUMBUS, Ga., June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aspirion, the healthcare technology revenue cycle management (“RCM”) leader for denials, payment variance, and complex claims, today announced its Compass and DocIQ platforms have earned certified status from HITRUST for cybersecurity and information protection.

The HITRUST 2-year (r2) Certification demonstrates that Aspirion has met requirements defined by a leading cybersecurity assurance leader, confirming that strong controls are in place to protect sensitive data and manage risk effectively. As healthcare organizations increasingly adopt AI-enabled workflows, security, transparency, and governance become essential to scaling innovation responsibly.

“Our clients trust us with some of the most sensitive information in healthcare, and that trust is foundational to everything we do,” said Nick Giannasi, CEO of Aspirion. “Earning HITRUST r2 Certification for our Compass and DocIQ platforms reflects the significant investment we’ve made in building secure, trustworthy systems for healthcare providers. The sensitivity of the data we handle demands rigorous, continuously evolving controls, and this certification provides independent validation that those protections are in place.”

Built on the HITRUST Assurance Program, this achievement reflects independent third-party testing, centralized quality assurance, and certification backed by HITRUST’s Cyber Threat-Adaptive engine. These elements ensure continuous alignment with the latest threat intelligence and evolving standards across NIST, ISO, and OWASP.

“The HITRUST Assurance Program is rigorous and reliable because of the comprehensiveness of control requirements, depth of review, and consistency of oversight,” said Bimal Sheth, EVP, Standards Development & Assurance Operations at HITRUST. “HITRUST Certification demonstrates Aspirion is taking the most proactive approach to cybersecurity, data protection, and risk management.”

To learn more about HITRUST 2-year (r2) Certification, visit the HITRUST website at www.hitrustalliance.net. For more information about Aspirion, visit www.aspirion.com.

About Aspirion

Aspirion helps hospitals and health systems nationwide recover earned revenue from their most complex and difficult-to-resolve claims. Deploying proprietary AI and a specialized team of attorneys, clinicians, and claims experts, Aspirion overturns denials, recovers underpayments, and maximizes out-of-network and complex claim reimbursement—getting providers paid accurately, quickly, and transparently so they can focus on delivering affordable, accessible care. To learn more, visit www.aspirion.com.

Media Contact

Erin Haynie
Vice President, Marketing
Aspirion
erin.haynie@aspirion.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspirion-achieves-hitrust-r2-certification-reinforcing-trust-and-security-across-its-ai-powered-revenue-cycle-platforms-302800805.html

SOURCE Aspirion