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Newsom’s Veto of Bill Allowing Consumers to Globally Opt Out of Data Use is Bad for Everyone Except Tech Companies Like Google, says Consumer Watchdog

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today Consumer Watchdog called out Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill that would have allowed Californians to globally signal their data privacy preferences as a big loss for consumers that raises questions about the power tech monopolies like Google have over his office.

The bill—Assembly Bill 3048 (Lowenthal)—would have made web browsers honor people’s privacy preferences universally instead of forcing consumers to do it business by business.

“People don’t want to click thousands of times to tell companies not to collect their data,” said Justin Kloczko, tech and privacy advocate for Consumer Watchdog. “We’re perplexed that the governor wouldn’t sign a bill that the California Privacy Protection Agency itself sponsored to give Californians easy control over their data. Exercising data privacy rights is an important issue, as data is foundational to things like AI and algorithmic discrimination. Now California has missed its opportunity to be the first state in the country to make browsers offer a simple feature. It’s troubling the power that companies such as Google appear to have over the Governor’s office.” 

In his letter to the State Assembly, Newsom reconciled his decision not to sign the bill by saying, “most internet browsers either include such an option or, if users choose, they can download a plug-in with the same functionality.”

“What the governor didn’t mention is that Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Microsoft Edge don’t offer a global opt out and they make up for nearly 90 percent of the browser market share,” said Kloczko. “That’s what matters. And people don’t want to install plug-ins. Safari, which is the default browsers on iPhones, doesn’t even accept a plug-in.” 

“Instead of building on seminal rights that voters enacted with the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), Newsom took consumers a step back by refusing to make opting out easy,” said the nonprofit advocacy group.

Over the past several months, Consumer Watchdog has been spotlighting data collection and data privacy rights. Less than 1 percent of Californians exercised their data privacy rights with major data brokers such as Acxiom, Consumer Watchdog found in its new report, “Data Stalkers.” That is before a global opt out for data brokers became law, a bill that Newsom signed, said Consumer Watchdog. 

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

Read Consumer Watchdog’s report on the difficulty of opting out here.

Recently, a group funded by Amazon and Google named the Connected Commerce Council lobbied Newsom’s office to veto AB 3048, according to Politico.

Newsom’s veto also follows his blessing of a deal between the state and tech companies that will divert millions of state dollars to tech companies to fund AI and journalism, a move backed by Google and widely derided by the journalism industry. The deal thwarted legislation that would have forced tech companies like Google to pay news organizations for distributing their content. 

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, but without this legislation, it’s that much harder for a person to sever the data pipeline,” said Kloczko.

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SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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Meiyume (Group) LTD Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating for 2026, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Beauty

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

SOURCE Meiyume

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Marketna: Launching Smart Arabic Platform for Digital Classified Ads

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DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “Marketna” has announced the launch of its new digital classified advertising platform for the Arab world, available through its mobile app and website.

With the slogan “Easy Buy and Sell,” Marketna is a platform connecting buyers and sellers across various sectors, including cars, property, electronics, home furniture and appliances, jobs, and services, enabling users to advertise and sell almost anything.

 

 

The platform, enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies, aims to simplify the online advertising process through a secure and user-friendly environment.

Marketna offers its services in both Arabic and English, currently covering nine Arab countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Lebanon. Expansion is underway to include Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, along with the addition of French as a supported language.

This initiative comes as part of Marketna’s vision to become a leading digital e-commerce platform across the Arab world, with a focus on the quality of user experience.

Marketna aims to build an inclusive online community that connects the region’s markets, thereby boosting the prosperity of the Arab digital economy.

Smooth and Easy Classified Ad Creation and Publishing

Marketna is built on four core pillars that make the buying and selling experience unique:

Speed and Simplicity: One-step registration and three-step ad postingSafety and Trust: Focus on protecting user data and privacyPremium Service: Fast ad approval and exceptional customer supportGreater Outreach: Maximum exposure to the target audience

Supporting Individuals and Business Owners

The platform offers individual sellers additional features through a “Premium” membership, granting ongoing benefits such as the ability to publish unlimited ads, extended ad validity, priority in search results, and a special seller badge.

Through a “Business” account, which can be created in just a few minutes, Marketna provides dedicated accounts for small, medium, and large business owners, enabling them to advertise cars and real estate in a professional way.

New users, both individuals and merchants, can post their basic ads for free, and receive exclusive discounts to boost their ads upon upgrading to a “Premium” or “Business Plus” membership, allowing them to reach a larger pool of potential buyers.

An Optimal User Experience via the Marketna Smart App

The Marketna Classified Ads Smart App is available for Android devices on the Google Play Store, allowing users to browse ads and post listings from anywhere, at any time, with the ability to communicate directly through in-app chat.

The app features a simplified, modern, and responsive interface. An iOS version for Apple devices is coming soon, with the goal of supporting all users.

For more information about Marketna and its services, visit the official website at https://marketna.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963238/Marketna_Classified_Ads.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963239/Marketna_Logo.jpg

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketna-launching-smart-arabic-platform-for-digital-classified-ads-302758903.html

SOURCE Marketna

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2026 Hong Kong Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report: BeGiftHK Reveals “Specialization and Wellness” as the New Standard for Corporate Gifting

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BeGiftHK, a leading professional corporate gift company in Hong Kong, today officially released the “2026 Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report.” The report highlights that following profound changes in corporate culture in the post-pandemic era, the Hong Kong B2B gift market has officially moved away from the “low-price, high-volume” model. It has been replaced by a new purchasing logic centered on “Employee Wellness” and “Brand Specialization.”

Pickleball Customization: The New Corporate Sports Social Favorite of 2026

The most prominent trend highlighted in the report is the strong rise of “sports social gifts.” Data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, inquiries for Pickleball customization equipment surged by 210% compared to the same period last year.

A spokesperson for BeGiftHK analyzed: “In 2026, a corporate gift is no longer just an object; it is a brand touchpoint. Due to its low entry barrier and high participation across all age groups, Pickleball has become the top choice for large enterprises for hosting Team Building and ESG promotion activities. The professional-grade T700 carbon fiber paddles we provide, combined with high-quality customized designs, successfully transform the act of gifting into a highly social brand experience.”

Technology Defines Authority: Full-Color UV Digital Printing Enhances Corporate Image

Regarding the craftsmanship requirements for gift customization, purchasers in 2026 have demonstrated unprecedented attention to detail. The report indicates that over 85% of multinational organizations and financial enterprises prioritize the precision of printing technology when selecting a Hong Kong corporate gift company.

BeGiftHK has addressed the limitations of traditional screen printing, such as the inability to render gradients and high-precision logos, by introducing cutting-edge “Full-Color UV Digital Printing” technology. This commitment to professionalism has led BeGiftHK to frequently receive high praise as a “Souvenir Recommendation of the Year” in various commercial evaluations.

ESG Transformation: From “Green Products” to “Social Responsibility”

The report concludes by emphasizing that ESG factors have permeated every stage of the purchasing decision. In 2026, the demand for “Recycled PET (RPET)” materials and “Sustainable Sports Solutions” among Hong Kong enterprises consistently accounted for over 40% of the market share. Through its robust supply chain accumulated over years of deep cultivation in the Hong Kong market, BeGiftHK not only provides eco-friendly materials but also assists organizations in planning gift solutions with social impact, integrating “ESG narratives” into every exquisite gift box.

Rooted in Hong Kong, Defining the Future

As an established authoritative brand in the market, BeGiftHK, with its keen market insights and excellent execution, has successfully provided one-stop corporate gift customization services for numerous NGOs, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to drive industry innovation, creating the most valuable brand souvenirs for Hong Kong organizations with a more professional and forward-looking vision.

About BeGiftHK

BeGiftHK is a professional gift solution provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The company is committed to providing customers with closed-loop gift customization services, including design, production, quality inspection, and logistics, through innovative technology and a unique industry perspective. With the core concepts of “Professionalism, Design, and Value,” BeGiftHK is a designated gift partner for many large-scale events and corporate anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong.

Media Inquiries, please contact:

Contact Person: BeGiftHK Customer Service DepartmentCompany Name: Ideas Promotion Ltd (BeGiftHK)Phone: +852 3490 6532Email: info@ideaspromotion.com.hkWebsite: https://begifthk.com

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SOURCE BeGiftHK

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