AG HEALEY JOINS NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT WITH GOOGLE OVER LOCATION TRACKING PRACTICES

 AG HEALEY JOINS NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT WITH GOOGLE OVER LOCATION TRACKING PRACTICES  

Coalition of 40 Attorneys General Secures the Largest Multistate Privacy Settlement in U.S. History 

 

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that she has joined a coalition of 40 attorneys general in reaching a $391.5 million settlement with Google for misleading consumers about its location tracking practices. This is the largest multistate data privacy settlement ever reached by attorneys general in the history of the United States. Massachusetts is expected to receive $9.3 million from the settlement.  

 

Today’s settlement concludes an investigation by the attorneys general that found that Google violated state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about its location tracking practices since at least 2014. Specifically, Google caused users to be confused about two account settings that control data collection of the users’ location – “Location History” and “Web & App Activity” – and the extent to which consumers who use Google products and services could limit Google’s location tracking by adjusting their account and device settings.  

 

“Technology companies need to be upfront with users about how and when their data is tracked and shared, especially when it comes to location information which can reveal personal information about people’s lives,” said AG Healey. “This unprecedented agreement holds Google accountable for these deceptive practices, requires more transparency, and ensures more consumer control over what information is used.”   

 

Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. Google uses the personal and behavioral data it collects to build detailed user profiles and target ads on behalf of its advertising customers. Location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects – even a limited amount of location data can expose a person’s identity and routines. This data has the potential to reveal intimate and sensitive details, including, as Google has cknowledged, whether a person has sought reproductive health care.  

 

The attorneys general opened the Google investigation following a 2018 Associated Press article that revealed Google “records your movements even when you explicitly tell it not to,” including when the “Location History” setting is turned off. “Web & App Activity,” a separate account setting that also tracks location, is automatically turned “on” when users set up a Google account, including all Android phone users. The attorneys general allege that consumers were confused about the scope of the “Location History” setting and did not know the “Web & App Activity” setting existed.  

 

Today’s settlement requires Google to be more transparent with consumers about its practices, including by: 

 

·       Showing additional information to users whenever they turn a location-related account setting “on” or “off”; 

·       Making key information about location tracking unavoidable (i.e., not hidden); 

·       Giving users detailed information about the types of location data Google collects and how it’s used at an enhanced “Location Technologies” webpage;  

·       Giving users the ability to disable a location-related account setting and delete the location information stored by that setting without needing to navigate to separate webpages; and 

·       Automatically deleting location information collected through Web and App Activity after 30 days. 

 

The settlement also limits Google’s use and storage of certain types of location information and requires Google account controls to be more user-friendly. 

 

Joining AG Healey in filing the settlement are the attorneys general of Oregon, Nebraska, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The final settlement was also joined by Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.  

 

BPDA releases Life Sciences Action Agenda Agenda responds to ongoing life sciences development in the city

BOSTON - Monday, November 14, 2022 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) today released a Life Sciences Action Agenda in response to ongoing life sciences development throughout the City of Boston. In an effort to support the industry’s built environment needs, while addressing concerns from the public in relation to the location and design of these developments, the Life Sciences Action Agenda provides transparency around how the BPDA will take a coordinated approach to guiding life sciences development. In partnership with the public, sister City agencies, and the development community, the Life Sciences Action Agenda outlines how the BPDA will create clear avenues for development and predictability in the city’s urban fabric, while prioritizing the safety of Boston’s residents. The BPDA is committed to continuing to leverage new investment in this industry to support equitable economic opportunities for Boston residents to encourage job creation and the growth of a resilient economy, as well as prioritizing more housing options to support this growth. “Life science development is critical to Boston’s economic health moving forward, as a large contributor to public city services, job growth and training, as well as affordable housing,” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “This action agenda lays out a proactive, transparent roadmap for how the BPDA will support growth of this sector, while ensuring we are addressing the health and safety needs of Bostonians.” Through the Life Sciences Action Agenda, the BPDA will shape life science development using new design guidelines and zoning language, and support public health and safety in partnership with our sister agencies. The agency will ensure the built environment and any other aspects within agency jurisdiction do not contribute to any health and safety concerns. In addition to these commitments, the BPDA will also continue to integrate appropriate planning for life sciences developments in ongoing planning initiatives, which will then be incorporated into zoning. With this Action Agenda, the BPDA is committing to: Releasing draft Life Sciences Design Guidelines for public review to ensure life sciences buildings fit within the fabric of the city, within the next three months. Releasing draft zoning code amendments for public review to define life sciences research and development uses in the next eight months. Releasing an interactive map of life sciences development in Boston in the next eight months. Working with sister public agencies like BPHC to improve communications, release educational materials, and provide community engagement opportunities including a series of public meetings on life sciences. Opportunities for public engagement on these topics will be posted on the BPDA website here.

當年誣指陳霞芬為間諜 美商務部須賠償175萬元

(Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 華裔美籍科學家被美國政府誣指為間諜的一系列案件中，又有一宗獲得平反。法院日前裁決，美國商務部須賠償175萬元給原本是國家氣象局水文專家的陳霞芬。

在一份聲明中，陳霞芬說，“政府調查、起訴我的行動是歧視性，不正義的”，”商務部總算要為做錯的事負起責任了….沒有任何一個其他人應該要忍受這樣的不正義”。

在中美兩國競爭加劇中，陳霞芬的案子是美國政府對華人，華裔美籍科學家越見懷疑的早期個案。經過一年多訴訟的這和解結果，既是陳霞芬的個人勝利，也非常具有象徵性。

在陳霞芬清洗個人名聲的十年長期奮鬥中，包括百人會等許多個人及社團，都積極支持。

百人會獲悉消息後發出聲明稿，稱百人會和Greenberg Traurig法律事務所律師Andrew Chongseh Kim合作的研究分析中，從1996到2020，共有276人被告，其中190人是華人或亞裔姓名，和其他西方人被告相比，這些人被處罰得更嚴重，或被逮捕的機率更高。

2021年十，百人和會亞利桑那州大學公佈了一份向將近2000名科研人員做的調查研究結果，發現42%有華人背景的科學家覺得美國政府種族歧視他們，但非華人背景的科學家，只有8%這麼覺得。

在川普時代的司法部啟動"中國計劃”前，陳霞芬就受調查，被解雇了。儘管該計劃聲稱旨在因應中國的經濟間諜，但卻不成比例地以所謂補助款詐欺或未揭露等議題，針對華裔美籍學術研究人員，而這些案件有很大一部分都在審訊前就四分五裂的不成立了。

美國政府的”中國計劃”，旨在保護國家安全。麻省理工學院科技評論雜誌稱，根據迄今最完整的個案分析，該計劃早已偏離目標。

陳霞芬的案子促使關心局勢的華裔美籍公民成立草根支持團體，為她遊說美國國會議員，讓人更知道陳霞芬的經歷，籌款為她打官司。其中一個支持團體後來成立了”亞太裔正義 (APA Justice)”，這持續反對中國計劃及族裔刻板印象，聲音最大的團體。

陳霞芬是在2014年時被聯邦調查局逮捕，控以間諜罪，稱她非法進入政府資料庫，和中國科學家分享關於美國水壩的敏感資料。進一步的調查顯示，陳霞芬做的其實是分享了一個她辦公室內人員都知道，從資料庫取得她工作資料的密碼。在缺乏證據下，司法部門在遞案5個月後撤銷控訴。但是由於導致聯邦調查局控訴，如今已不成立的同樣理由，陳霞芬還是被解雇了。

那些錯誤資訊來自商務部的內部安全單位，調查及威脅管理服務局 (ITMS)。2021年7月參議院的一項調查發現，該局針對華裔美人及其他員工進行廣泛且毫無根據的有歧視調查，陳霞芬個案就是一個行為不當的例子。這報告發表不久後，ITMS就解散了。

陳霞芬這時也向監管聯邦政府員工聘僱個案的半官方機構，功績系統保護局 (MSPB)，提出不當解雇申訴。不過監管國家氣象局的商務部上訴了。由於人手短缺，這案件MSPB置之不理了好幾年，於是2019年，陳霞芬提出民事訴訟，控告美國政府惡意起訴，錯誤逮捕。她的法律團隊要求賠償500萬元。

陳霞芬案的裁決，先付55萬元，接著在未來10年內付給125萬元，就是那些訴訟的結果。在金錢損失之外，陳霞芬的律師說，商務部將和陳霞芬開一次私人會議，給她一封信，承認她是一名有成就的政府水利專家。

            ACLU國家安全計劃資深律師Ashley Gorski表示，這結果和APA正義，以及1000多名個人和組織簽名，在一年前遞交給商務部部長Gina Raimondo的一封信中所要求的道歉不太一樣，然而和商務部門人員坐下來談，而且答應要給一封承認成就的信，對陳霞芬來說很重要，而這也是他們協商的和解條件之一。

            根據麻省理工學院科技評論雜誌去年的調查，”中國計劃”很沒效率，而且絕大部分是針對有華裔血統個人，佔了被告者中的90%。陳霞芬的和解案在” 中國計劃”餘殃蕩漾之際，特別讓人欣慰。

            拜登政府在今年2月正式結束了”中國計劃”，但無數的研究指出，該計劃對中美之間的科學合作，有著更廣泛冷卻效應，也導致人們降低了把美國當作高等教育及研究目標地點的興趣。對那些被”中國計劃”這張網黏到人來說，即使他們最後得回清白，曾有的那些經歷卻已揮之不去。

Ashley Gorski說，這使得陳霞芬訟案的結果更為重要，因為這固然是陳霞芬個人的勝利，也是華裔美人社區的勝利。這和解清楚的顯示，當政府歧視，就必須負責任。

G-20習拜要晤談 百人會有話說

            (Boston Orange) 美國總統拜登 (Joe Biden) 和中國國家主席習近平即將於11月15、16日在印尼峇里島舉行的20國峰會中見面，美國的華人組織百人會趕發聲明，呼籲找出共識，減少誤解，為有利世界的解決方案努力。

            百人會會長黃征宇表示，「沒有什麼事是一次會議就可解決的，但這可以是了解每個國家在關鍵議題上的立場，並尋找共識的好開始」。 「美國和中國都面對著諸如食物供應、能源安全、氣候變遷，以及全球和平等的過渡挑戰。這2個國家必須致力減少對彼此的誤會，並努力爭取對世界有利的明確解決方案。

 Statement by Committee of 100 on the Planned Meeting Between

President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping at the G-20 Summit

 
New York, NY (November 13, 2022) -- Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today released the following statement on the eve of the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and China President Xi Jinping at the G-20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.
 
“Nothing can be completed in one meeting, but what can start is a better understanding of each country’s position on key issues and the search to find common ground,” said Zhengyu Huang, President of Committee of 100. “The U.S. and China both face transnational challenges such as food supply, energy security, climate change, and global peace. The two countries must work to reduce mutual misunderstandings and strive towards tangible solutions that benefit the world.”

麻州州長查理貝克和波士頓市長吳弭連袂出席波多黎各退伍軍人紀念活動

難得的，麻州州長查理貝克有個和波士頓市長吳弭笑臉相迎的時刻。 (圖片Boston Orange)

            (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 11月11日是美國2022年的退伍軍人日，麻州各城市都有紀念，遊行活動。麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 和波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 唯一聯袂出席的是南端波多黎各退伍軍人紀念廣場的誌記儀式。

               CBS， WHDH等電視台分別以「我們不忘記任何一個人 (We don’t forget anybody) 」等標題，強調這是個向保家衛國軍人表達感謝的日子。在南波士頓，還有全美第一個越戰紀念碑。

這是麻州州長查理貝克最後一次以州長身分出席波多黎各退伍軍人協會活動。
。(圖片Boston Orange)

               波士頓市在11月5日已經安排了一場盛大遊行，來慶祝退伍軍人節，從波士頓公共圖書館總館沿著波約斯頓街，經過柯普利廣場，遊行到波士頓廣場，左轉進天滿街   (Tremont)後，在和公園街交界處結束。這天的遊行，波士頓華埠退伍軍人會328分會和波士頓榮光會都扯旗參加了。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)強調退伍軍人節是個向保家衛國軍人表達感謝的日子。
(圖片Boston Orange)

               11月11日這天，麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 在州政府大樓內紀念大堂，先出席他在州長任內最後一次的向退伍軍人致敬活動，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 則是在波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，以及波士頓市退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago等人陪同下，先到南波士頓，和來自Fitzgerald外國戰爭退伍軍人會，以及Saint Brigid Parish的退伍軍人們一起遊行。

麻州州長查理貝克等人察看列有吳弭市長名字的紀念碑。
(圖片Boston Orange)

               下午一點，查理貝克和吳弭倆人再雙雙來到南端，位於華盛頓街1440號的波多黎各退伍軍人紀念廣場，和波多黎各退伍軍人之友會一起誌記波多黎各人在捍衛美國上的歷史功勳。他們倆人已至少3次聯袂出席波多黎各退伍軍人會的活動。

               波士頓市長吳弭在11日下午3點，再到華盛頓街2405號的洛士百利Gourdin將軍黑人退伍軍人公園發表紀念活動談話。

波多黎各旗幟和美國籍麻州旗幟一銅飄揚。(圖片Boston Orange)

               11月11日，其實全美各地都有向退伍軍人致敬的活動或遊行。在尚莫維爾市(Somerville)，今年有在全美各地已巡迴40年的流動越戰紀念碑，來到集合廣場 (Assemble Square) 的麻省總醫院 (Mass General Brigham)大草坪上展示。

               昆士市也有從昆士高中走到瑪莉蒙公園 (Merrymount Park)_第二次世界大戰紀念碑的慶祝遊行。

波多黎各退伍軍人廣場的銅像。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議員Kenzie Bok。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓市議員Erin Murphy。(圖片Boston Orange)

波士頓歷史最悠久中餐館九龍餐廳共同創辦人黃陳美蘭辭世

黃陳美蘭。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

           (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 波士頓市規模最大，歷史最悠久中餐廳，九龍餐廳的聯合創辦人黃陳美蘭 (Madeline Wong)11月7日辭世，享年95歲。

                       黃家人9日對外公佈了這訊息。

                       黃陳美蘭和2011年辭世的丈夫黃偉炎當年攜手創辦九龍餐廳，成功的把1號公路上，原本是冰淇淋店的一家小小店面，經營成北岸的傳奇景點。波士頓環球報雜誌上個月才刊登了一篇文章，形容著九龍餐廳不但室內有噴泉，棕梠樹，還有1200個座位。

黃陳美蘭和6名子女在九龍餐廳。左一為麻州眾議員黃子安，右一起為麻州亞裔餐飲協會
會長黃子章，黃彩蓮，黃子興，黃彩鳳，黃子良。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

                     在九龍餐廳的臉書網頁上，黃陳美蘭是1號公路上標誌性餐廳的女族長。她廢寢忘食的工作，經營餐廳，還能夠找出時間，成為John Hancock壽險公司的最佳銷售經紀，同時養大了6個小孩。

                   黃陳美蘭現年67歲的兒子，麻州亞裔餐飲協會會長黃子章 (Bob Wong)  說，黃家是在1958年時從黃陳美蘭的廣東移民父母那兒，買下這家「華屋 (Mandarin   House) 」，和現在已經擴展成廚藝及文化地標的「九龍餐廳 (Kowloon Restaurant) 」相比，那差異可是天壤地別。

黃陳美蘭和紅襪隊吉祥物合影。(九龍餐廳臉書截圖)

                   和其他5名兄弟姐妹共同擁有九龍餐廳的Bob Wong說，「華屋」最初只有2名員工，他爸爸是廚師，母親負責前台，接外賣訂單，做侍應生。他們的工作時間很長，從開門做到關門，就只是為了在不需要人幫忙下，把生意做起來。

                他說，他母親辛勤工作，把這家不起眼的中餐館，做成了「美國人的成功故事」。他還記得他們幾兄弟姊妹第一次到這餐廳時，看到房間正中有噴泉，他還以為自己是在一個像是迪士尼樂園的地方。他仰頭望向父母問到，「這是誰的地方」?父母說，「哦，我們的」。我簡直不敢相信。

                 黃陳美蘭的兒子說，儘管一天工作16小時，一週7天都工作，黃陳美蘭卻似乎總是精力充沛，今年8月22日，她才慶祝了95歲生日。她就像電池兔寶寶，不斷前進。從早上醒來開始，她就一直忙碌的同時做好幾件事，來來回回的接訂單，送餐，好像永遠不會累似的。

            黃陳美蘭的兒子們說，儘管她總是在工作，我們卻從來沒覺得自己被忽略了。當父母在身邊時，那感覺也總是很溫暖。

                 黃陳美蘭身後遺有6

黃陳美蘭(前左)甜蜜的和丈夫黃偉炎(前右)分享紐英崙華人歷史協會頒發的「遊子獎」。
他倆的子女，(後左起)黃子章、黃彩鳳、黃子安、黃彩蓮、黃子良等人，這天全都到會
祝賀母親得獎。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

名子女，包括麻州眾議員黃子安，以及黃子章，黃彩鳳、黃子安、黃彩蓮、黃子良，還有15名孫子女，23名曾孫子女。 (本刊2010時曾報導黃陳美蘭獲得紐英崙華人歷史協會遊子獎，https://www.bostonorange.com/2010/10/blog-post_02.html)

麻州州長查理貝克簽署37.6億元經濟發展法案

 Governor Baker Signs $3.76 Billion Economic Development Bill

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed a $3.76 billion spending plan that promotes economic development, strengthens health and human services, advances clean energy and resiliency, expands affordable housing production and invests in Massachusetts communities, businesses and workers. The legislation signed today includes funding for several proposals introduced by the Baker-Polito Administration in the FORWARD economic development bill filed in April and in multiple supplemental budget proposals, including the most recent proposal from August to close out Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

 

“This legislation will make strategic investments in economic development, increase affordable housing production and support our health care system,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate the Legislature’s efforts to pass this bill which is necessary to invest the Commonwealth’s significant state surplus and time-sensitive federal relief dollars. While I am disappointed that the bill does not include permanent tax relief that is affordable and was supported by our administration and the Legislature, I am pleased that the Commonwealth’s strong financial position allows us to make these critical investments on behalf of our communities.”

 

“This bill addresses a wide range of needs across Massachusetts, from investing in long-term housing affordability to enabling transformational projects in hundreds of cities and towns,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This funding will play a crucial role in the continued growth of local economies, businesses and families and we look forward to seeing it put to work."

 

The bill is funded by a combination of state resources, including FY22 surplus revenue, and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-FRF). Notably, the Governor vetoed an outside section that would cap the use of ARPA-FRF funding to $510 million (of the $2.3 billion that remains available in ARPA-FRF funds). Federal law requires that the entirety of these federal funds be committed by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Vetoing this section will allow the Commonwealth to prioritize the use of the time-limited federal dollars.

 

“This legislation will build upon our efforts over the last several years to strategically deploy billions in federal and state funding to bolster the Commonwealth's economy through the pandemic and accelerate recovery,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “We appreciate the collaboration of our colleagues in the Legislature on this important bill, which will further support key areas of need, make long-lasting improvements to Massachusetts infrastructure, and invest in local communities across the state.”   

 

Highlights of the bill include:

 

Health and human services

• $850 million in near-term relief for fiscally strained hospitals, human service providers, nursing facilities, rest homes and community health centers
• $200 million to support the Commonwealth’s continued response to and management of COVID-19
• $25 million for low-threshold housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
• $20 million to address the varied needs of immigrants and refugees
• $20 million to combat gun violence
• $20 million for the Victim and Witness Assistance Board
• $17.5 million to support access to reproductive care and family planning services

Education

• $150 million to stabilize early education and care providers
• An additional $315 million transfer to the High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund via an outside section amending the FY23 budget
• $50 million to support scholarships for Massachusetts students enrolled in higher education nursing programs

Housing production and affordability

• $100 million for workforce housing production
• $100 million for homeownership expansion through the Commonwealth Builder program
• $100 million to support the creation of affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Trust
• $57 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• $50 million for the Equitable Developers’ financing program

Economic development

• $153 million to support a variety of businesses in need across the state, including $75 million for hotels, $45 million for businesses reaching underserved markets, and $40 million for small businesses
• $75 million to support broadband infrastructure and internet access
• Hundreds of local community and economic development projects

Clean energy and environmental infrastructure

• $175 million for investments in publicly-owned green space and environmental infrastructure, including $75 million in environmental justice communities
• $150 million for clean energy initiatives, including transfers to the Clean Energy Investment Fund, Electric Vehicle Adoption Incentive Trust, and Charging Infrastructure Deployment Fund
• $115 million for water quality improvement projects through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust
• $100 million for improvements to port infrastructure
• $25 million to support food security infrastructure

 

Transportation

• $112 million to support key needs at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), including for implementation of Federal Transit Authority (FTA) directives

 

The Governor signed the large majority of the 271 outside sections included in the bill, including sections that make corrections that will allow for the successful implementation of new tax credits related to offshore wind and the hiring of National Guard members. The Governor also approved policy sections that will improve the operation and effectiveness of the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund and smart growth zoning through an improved Starter Home Zoning chapter of the General Laws. Additional sections will change the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) standing order authority related to COVID-19 testing and treatment and will establish effective and efficient administrative processes through which DPH will manage the licensure and oversight of Registered Sanitarians and Certified Health Officers.

 

Governor Baker returned two outside sections to the Legislature with proposed amendments and vetoed a total of 24 sections.

 

To read the Governor’s signing letter, click here.

 

To read the veto parchment, click here.

 

Attachments:

• Attachment A – Inside Section Vetoes
• Attachment B – Outside Section Vetoes
• Attachment C – Amendment #1
• Attachment D – Amendment #2