- School discipline. The California legislature has passed a law that, if signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (or not vetoed by him before the end of September), would significantly expand privacy protections for students from kindergarten through high school. In particular, among other things, the law would limit education technology companies used by K-12 schools from knowingly engaging in targeted advertising to students or their parents and guardians; using certain student-related information to create a profile regarding a K-12 student; or selling or otherwise disclosing such student-related information. Will other states follow California’s lead?
- Taxi wars. The upstart P2P ride-sharing service Uber and its allies – including the D.C.-based trade group the Internet Association – have begun a public relations campaign to “brand” traditional taxicabs in a negative light and to enhance the public image of ride-sharing apps. Their online campaign, known as “Taxi Facts,” refers to “Big Taxi” as if it were “Big Oil” or “Big Steel,” and states the public deserves to know the truth about the industry. Not to be outdone, the traditional taxi industry has launched a campaign that refers to the new entrants as simply “unregulated taxicabs.”
- This Bud’s for you. Anheuser-Busch and Facebook have teamed up on a new promotion in which people will be able to go onto the social network and buy their friends beers for their birthdays, to be redeemed at a nearby bar or restaurant. The giver simply enters credit card information, and the recipient redeems an online voucher – as long as he or she is of legal age to drink. “The program was born of A-B’s desire to remain relevant with millennial consumers of legal drinking age – and strengthen our position as the perfect beer for connecting with friends around any occasion,” said Anheuser-Busch’s VP of consumer connections.
