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Arab Americans for Trump group changes name after president’s Gaza takeover proposal

A pro-Trump group is changing its name after President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. “take over” Gaza. The group formerly known as Arab Americans for Trump, is now going by the name Arab Americans for Peace.

“We believe that his ideas, as well-intentioned as they might be, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way,” Bishara Bahbah, the founder of the organization formerly known as Arab Americans for Trump, told Reuters. “We’re opposed to any transfer of Palestinians, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, out of their homeland.”

On Tuesday, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump introduced the idea of the U.S. taking control of the Gaza Strip.

TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABLIZE MIDDLE EAST

Then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, center, listens to Albert Abbas, owner of The Great Commoner, left, as Massad Boulos looks on during a visit to a cafe on Nov. 1, 2024, in Dearborn, Michigan. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too,” Trump said during Tuesday evening’s joint press conference. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site.”

The president emphasized the need to “do something different” in Gaza, where Hamas and Israel have fought for nearly 16 months.

“If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” Trump warned during the press conference.

Trump’s plan to build “an economic development” in the war-torn Gaza Strip has been met with mixed reactions. The group now known as Arab Americans for Peace is far from alone in its rejection of the idea. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., slammed Trump’s proposal, saying that it did not put “America first.”

Hamas, whose Oct. 7 massacre kicked off the latest war with Israel, called Trump’s proposal a “recipe for creating chaos.” The terror group that has controlled Gaza since 2006, one year after Israel gave up the strip of land and expelled its citizens from the area.

“What President Trump stated about his intention to displace the residents of the Gaza Strip outside it and the United States’ control over the Strip by force is a crime against humanity,” a senior Hamas official also told Fox News on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right). (Getty Images/Fox News Digital)

‘PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH’: TRUMP AND NETANYAHU EXPECTED TO DISCUSS IRAN, HAMAS AT WHITE HOUSE MEETING

Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump’s idea during an appearance on “Hannity” on Wednesday.

“I think it will create a different future for everyone,” Prime Minister Netanyahu told “Hannity.”

“The actual idea of allowing for Gazans who want to leave, to leave. I mean, what’s wrong with that?” Netanyahu asked. “They can leave. They can then come back. They can relocate and come back, but you have to rebuild Gaza. If you want to rebuild Gaza, you can’t have — this is the first good idea that I’ve heard.”

After nearly 16 months of war, Hamas and Israel are engaging in a ceasefire deal, which has already seen the release of several hostages, including an American citizen. In the first phase of the deal, 33 hostages are set to be released. Details of the second phase have not been made public.

Aerial view of protesters taking part in the March on the DNC in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 19, 2024. (Fox News Digital)

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Israel’s war against Hamas became a divisive issue within Democratic circles ahead of the 2024 election. The “uncommitted” movement in Michigan encouraged protest votes against former President Joe Biden when he was running for a second term.

After Biden ended his reelection bid and former Vice President Kamala Harris took his place, the group Abandon Harris – which started as Abandon Biden – endorsed Jill Stein and urged Americans to vote against pro-Israel candidates. There were also several anti-Israel protests during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The organization then-known as Arab Americans for Trump played a large role in Trump’s campaign outreach to the Arab American community in 2024. Many believe the group played an instrumental role in Trump’s ability to break Republicans’ losing streak in Dearborn, Michigan, which has a large Arab-American population.

Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

February 6, 2025
Americans’ insurance rates are soaring and lawsuits play a significant role

San Diego County supervisor Jim Desmond criticizes California’s insurance regulations implemented prior to the Los Angeles County wildfires on ‘The Bottom Line.’

Americans’ home and auto insurance rates have been soaring for years, with inflation, mounting losses from natural disasters, and rising repair and construction costs all playing a role.

But the industry points to a significant driver behind accelerating premiums that often goes overlooked: the mounting lawsuits and payouts that cost insurers.

The APCIA says the average American pays a $4,200 “tort tax” due to rising costs associated with abuse of the legal system. (iStock / iStock)

David Sampson, president and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), told FOX Business that even with all the pressures the industry is currently facing with huge losses due to hurricanes and wildfires, insurance regulatory dysfunction in some states, and the threat of tariffs driving up costs further, “Our number one priority is still addressing legal system abuse, because it is the major cost driver that’s having a huge negative impact on insurance availability and affordability.”

The APCIA says the American household pays more than a $4,200 “tort tax” due to unnecessary and abusive litigation across the country that raises the costs of products and services like groceries and gas.

CAR INSURANCE RATES SOARED IN 2024; DRIVERS IN THESE STATES PAY THE MOST

The insurance trade group shows data indicating the average personal injury verdict has ballooned over the last decade or more, going from around $39,300 in 2010 to more than $125,300 in 2020 – a 319% increase.

The APCIA points to data showing the median personal injury award in the U.S. more than tripled in the last decade. (APCIA)

Sampson said nuclear verdicts – defined as jury verdicts of $10 million or more – also continue to rise, with the top 100 verdicts increasing 350% from an average of $64 million to $225 million in just the last six years, which he said shows they are “totally out of proportion to any legitimate damages that are out there.”

He provided everyday examples of legal abuses.

STATE FARM ASKS CALIFORNIA TO APPROVE RATE HIKES AFTER WILDFIRES

One is jury anchoring, where lawyers attempt to influence juries by throwing out astronomical numbers for awards. He asserted that when attorneys have billboards up advertising that they won their client $20 million for an auto accident, they are trying to affect the jury pool by putting out astronomical numbers that have no relation to the particular case involved, trying to shift the jury’s mindset.

Ted Gaines, a former California state representative, discusses why rules and regulations are forcing some insurance providers out of the Golden State on ‘The Bottom Line.’

Another legal abuse is phantom damages, where plaintiffs’ attorneys are able to only show juries how much a victim was billed for medical services, as opposed to the lower amount the health insurance company actually paid because of its contract with the hospital.

Premises liability has been one of the biggest sources of legal abuse, so multiple states have imposed reforms to make sure property owners and businesses are only liable for things they can directly control.

WILL HURRICANES AND WILDFIRES CAUSE INSURANCE PRICES TO RISE NATIONWIDE?

The practice of plaintiffs’ attorneys bringing in outside investors to try and influence the litigation process through third party litigation funding (TPLF) has driven up the cost of litigation, too, amid growing concerns that foreign adversaries are using these avenues to invest in U.S. litigation against American companies.

Legal abuses are soaring, accelerating the rise of insurance rates, according to the APCIA. ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Sampson says that in those instances, the victim is no longer in control of their own lawsuit, meaning they can’t settle without the permission of the people who are investing in and financing these lawsuits.

“You’ve had the justice system turned basically into a casino where these major investors are hoping to strike it rich on these suits and they get paid out the majority of the proceeds whenever they do,” he said.

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“Strike it lucky on these major lawsuits, and then, not only do you see that on some of these individual personal injury cases, but even more problematic – as tragic as that is – to the nation’s economy is that you have entities that are backed by foreign players, foreign parties like the [Chinese Communist Party] and others who are filing these third party litigation financed lawsuits against major American industries, especially in the technology sector, and they use these lawsuits to try to gain access to intellectual property through the discovery process.”

February 6, 2025
Americans bullish on economy and stock market with Trump in office: poll

Americans have renewed optimism in the country’s economic outlook now that President Donald Trump is back in office.

A majority of Americans, 53%, believe that the economy will grow in the next six months, while 61% believe that the stock market will also rise, according to the results of a Gallup poll released Monday.

The poll’s release comes shortly after Trump returned to the White House, with the survey conducted between Jan. 2 and 15, shortly before he took office.

RUBIO SAYS ‘NO CHOICE’ BUT TO BRING USAID ‘UNDER CONTROL’ AFTER AGENCY TAKEOVER: ‘RANK INSUBORDINATION’

President Donald Trump holds up his executive order on “Continuing the President’s National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board” in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

While Americans are optimistic about economic growth, the survey found they were divided on unemployment, with 38% indicating they believe it will increase and 38% saying it will decrease. Meanwhile, 21% believe that unemployment will hold steady over the next six months.

Americans are also less bullish on inflation, with 52% indicating they expect it to rise in the next six months, though that figure is down significantly from close to 80% in previous versions of the Gallup poll.

Breaking the numbers down by partisan affiliation, Gallup found Republican respondents largely responsible for fueling the increase in economic optimism, with 78% of GOP respondents believing there will be economic growth over the next six months and 75% saying the stock market will rise.

President Donald Trump (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

USAID CLOSES HQ TO STAFFERS MONDAY AS MUSK SAYS TRUMP SUPPORTS SHUTTING AGENCY DOWN

Solid majorities of Independents felt the same, with 61% indicating they believe there will be economic growth over the next six months and 60% saying they believe the stock market will rise.

Democrats are less bullish, with only 21% indicating they believe there will be growth over the next six months. But a slim majority of Democrats, 51%, do anticipate a bump to the stock market over the same time period.

President Donald Trump headlines a Republican National Committee spring donor retreat, in Palm Beach, Florida on May 4, 2024. (Donald Trump 2024 campaign)

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“Americans are generally hopeful about the economy in the next six months. Part of this optimism stems from Republicans expecting things to improve under a Republican rather than Democratic president,” Gallup said in a news release. “But the broader improvements in Americans’ outlook may also reflect their confidence in Trump’s ability to handle the economy. During his first term, he received some of his strongest issue approval ratings on the economy, which were typically higher than those Biden received on the issue during his term.”

The poll, conducted Jan. 2-15, 2025, surveyed a random 1,005 adults living in the U.S. and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.

Michael Lee is a writer for Fox News. Prior to joining Fox News, Michael worked for the Washington Examiner, Bongino.com, and Unbiased America. He has covered politics for more than eight years.

February 4, 2025
Trump envoy Richard Grenell secures freedom for 6 Americans following meeting with Maduro in Venezuela

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Following a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas to discuss, in part, the release of Americans being held in the country, Richard Grenell, President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions announced on X Friday night that he was returning to the U.S. with six of them.

“They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him,” Grenell said in his post without identifying the six men, four of whom were dressed in light-blue Venezuelan prison outfits.

TRUMP OFFICIAL TRAVELS TO VENEZUELA IN PUSH FOR MADURO REGIME TO TAKE BACK TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS

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It’s been reported that at least nine Americans have been held by Venezuela where Maduro’s officials have accused most of them of being involved in terrorism or acting as “mercenaries.”

On a call earlier on Friday with reporters, Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy on Latin America, said that “American hostages need to be released immediately, unequivocally.”

This is a developing story please check back for updates.

Christopher Guly is an Ottawa-based journalist and longtime member of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery. He has reported from Canada for several media outlets in the U.S. and the U.K. He can be followed on X @ChristopherGuly

February 1, 2025
Several state officials demand feds protect Americans’ retirement plans by clearly regulating ESG investments

Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., shares House Republicans’ plans to tackle ESG on ‘The Bottom Line.’

EXCLUSIVE: Nearly two dozen state financial officers are calling on federal financial regulators to issue clear guidance and establish new rules concerning ESG-centered investing.

ESG stands for “environmental, social and governance,” and can conflict with investments made strictly from a fiduciary standpoint. The officers aim to protect Americans’ passive retirement plans through these measures.

State treasurers and auditors from Alaska to South Carolina wrote to the acting heads of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Labor (DOL) after a Texas court ruling against American Airlines in a suit brought by a pilot concerned about the investments within his retirement plan.

GREEN GOVERNANCE IS THE NEW GUISE FOR MERCANTILISM: HERITAGE’S KEVIN ROBERTS

“We, therefore, request SEC and DoL take decisive action to uphold fiduciary duty laws and protect retirement plans from activist corrosion,” the state officials wrote.

“Specifically, we call on your agencies to issue comprehensive guidance … initiate rulemaking … [and] increase oversight and enforcement” of fiduciary rules.

A Wall Street sign in front of an American flag (Reuters/Mike Segar / Reuters Photos)

On Jan. 15, Bush-appointed federal Judge Reed O’Connor ruled in favor of the pilot, who alleged his employer did not properly monitor the proxy voting of investment managers they were doing business with, including BlackRock.

The airline’s own ESG goals also conflicted with those of some of the investment firms, according to allegations chronicled by ESG Dive.

The state officials asked the SEC and DOL to reaffirm a Supreme Court ruling that fiduciaries must discharge their duties solely in the financial interests of retirement plan participants and that proxy voting may not be motivated by non-fiduciary concerns such as achieving environmental or progressive social goals like reducing emissions.

DOZENS OF FINANCIAL FIRMS ACCUSED OF PUTTING ENVIRO POLICY OVER SHAREHOLDERS

“There is an indisputable trend, among large asset managers, to prioritize political and social agendas over the financial security of hardworking Americans. Retirement security should not be jeopardized in order to facilitate corporate virtue signaling and activist-driven initiatives,” they wrote.

Such “mixed motives” — if a retirement plan manager considers ESG above or in addition to the highest possible rate of return for the beneficiary — cannot be tolerated legally or ethically, the officials wrote.

Investing in such a way “triggers an irrebuttable presumption of wrongdoing” on the part of the investment manager firm.

In the American Airlines case, the court found that ESG investments often underperform traditional investments by about 10%.

Florida Republican Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson discusses the probe into U.S. banks over ESG initiatives on ‘The Big Money Show.’

It also found BlackRock “publicly vowed to support more shareholder proposals on climate change, even at major energy companies that make money from the production of fossil fuels.”

However, the airline’s retirement plan investments with the mega-firm were reportedly limited to index funds that have no political or social bent but may, by definition, coincidentally contain shares of individual companies that embrace ESG principles in their business model.

An AA spokesperson confirmed to ESG Dive that BlackRock’s role was limited to passive index funds and that the ruling focused on AA’s oversight of the firm’s proxy voting in alignment with industry best practices.

OJ Oleka, leader of the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), members of which signed the letter, said it has been troubling to see asset managers and administrators “pushing political and social agendas at the expense of what’s best for everyday Americans.”

“The recent court ruling against American Airlines is a clear example of the risks of prioritizing ESG and DEI over financial returns,” Oleka told Fox News Digital.

“Fiduciaries have a duty to focus on the financial well-being of those they serve, and when they don’t, it’s a disservice to their beneficiaries and potentially illegal.”

He expressed hope the federal government will step in to reinforce that firms should be prioritizing financial benefit over “distractions” that undermine financial security.

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Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., discusses U.S. investments in artificial intelligence and President Donald Trump’s commitment to reboot American energy on ‘The Bottom Line.’

In response to being mentioned as an example in the letter, a BlackRock representative told Fox News Digital the investment giant always makes decisions with investor gains in mind.

“We always act independently and with a singular focus on what is in the best financial interests of our clients,” the spokesperson said.

“Our only agenda is maximizing returns for our clients, consistent with their choices.”

A source familiar with the issues raised by SFOF claimed they have mostly been resolved.

The state of Tennessee recently settled an ESG case against BlackRock, and the firm has also departed a Wall Street alliance geared toward “net zero” emissions.

Jeff Eller, executive director of the Alliance for Prosperity and a Secure Retirement, told Fox News Digital the American Airlines ruling that preceded the letter was the “legal equivalent of junk science.”

“It is full of inaccuracies and contradictory claims. It is only a matter of time before it is most likely reversed on appeal. which will protect the retirement plans for millions of Americans,” Eller said.

January 30, 2025
National Plan for Vacation Day encourages Americans to arrange travel plans

Genevieve Shaw Brown met with FOX Business at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT to talk about why Americans should make future travel plans and create memories.

The last Tuesday of January is National Plan for Vacation Day, and one travel expert is urging Americans to use their time off offered by their employers.

Genevieve Shaw Brown met with FOX Business at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT to discuss upcoming Disney events and attractions, both in California and Florida, while emphasizing the importance of making memories rather than banking vacation time.

“A lot of times if you don’t use them, you lose them,” she said of vacation days. “We really want to make sure that people are taking advantage of their well-deserved time off.”

“Right now people are doing more at their jobs than they’ve ever done before, and you don’t want to burn out,” she continued. “To be your best self, you need to have balance and to take vacations and to make those memories.”

DISNEY’S MAGIC KINGDOM HONORS 100-YEAR-OLD WWII VETERAN DURING FLAG RETREAT CEREMONY

Donald Duck poses at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT on National Plan for Vacation Day, Jan. 29, 2025. (Pilar Arias / Fox News)

As far as specific vacation ideas, Shaw Brown noted that Disney’s popularity has grown so much and there is “always something going on” at the parks, meaning low visitation days do not really exist anymore like they used to.

She considers Disney to have great value for those young and old, solo and traveling with loved ones.

DISNEY LOOKING TO ENTICE GUESTS BY OFFERING FREE SUMMER VACATION PACKAGES PERK

China Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT. (Pilar Arias / Fox News)

Disney is a big business in Florida, with Walt Disney World Resort generating $40.3 billion in economic impact, according to a study from Oxford Economics.

While Disney does not share specifics on visitation and resort bookings, the most recent Theme Index and Museum Index Global Attractions Attendance report released by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)/AECOM says 244.6 million people visited the top 25 theme parks worldwide in 2023.

DISNEY NAMES NEXT CHAIRMAN, NEW CEO TO BE ANNOUNCED IN ‘EARLY 2026’

Disney Experiences ranked No. 1 in the top 10 amusement/theme park operators worldwide, according to the report. Of all four Walt Disney World parks, a Disney spokesperson told FOX Business that Magic Kingdom is the most visited.

Vacation travel is expected to continue shattering records this year, and not all of it will be by land. AAA projects 19 million Americans will sail the ocean blue on a cruise in 2025, marking a third straight record year, according to a press release.

DISNEY THEME PARK GUESTS WILL GET TO SKIP MORE LINES THAN EVER WITH HIGH-PRICED OPTION COMING THIS MONTH

Droid inside Oga’s Cantina at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in September 2024. (Pilar Arias / Fox News)

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Transportation Security Administration numbers from last year show the highest number of passengers screened at airport checkpoints was 3,088,836 on Dec. 1, 2024.

“You’re never going to regret the trip,” Shaw Brown said. “No vacation has to be perfect. It just has to be time away with your friends or your family, people you love or even by yourself, to just recharge and remember who you are outside of your work.”

January 28, 2025
Rubio demands answers with 2 more Americans said to be held by Taliban

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In the final hours of his term, President Joe Biden negotiated a prisoner exchange with the Taliban that released U.S. citizens Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty from Taliban custody.

Not included in the deal, however, were U.S. citizens George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi.

On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that he was “just hearing” of the detentions of additional Americans by the Taliban.

“If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders, maybe even bigger than the one we had on Bin Laden,” Rubio wrote.

2 AMERICANS RELEASED IN EXCHANGE FOR TALIBAN PRISONER

Dennis Fitzpatrick, who is coordinating efforts outside the U.S. government for Glezmann’s release, claimed Glezmann was “never a serious priority for the Biden White House.”

“President Biden and [former National Security Advisor] Jake Sullivan decided to leave George Glezmann in Kabul for no good reason,” Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital. “We are confident that President Trump’s clear-eyed leadership will secure George’s release to his family.”

Two U.S. citizens, George Glezmann, left, and Mahmood Habibi, were not included in the recent Biden administration deal that freed two other Americans from the Taliban. (James Foley Foundation/Getty Images)

Fitzpatrick added that 66-year-old Glezmann is “a totally innocent man” who was “a hard-working, blue-collar airline mechanic before he was wrongfully detained. He doesn’t deserve to be used as a pawn.”

Glezmann has been in detention since Dec. 5, 2022, when he was traveling to Afghanistan to “explore the cultural landscape and rich history of the country” according to a Senate resolution from July 2024 calling for his immediate release.

The resolution states that Glezmann’s mental and physical condition were deteriorating as a result of his detention in a nine-foot square underground cell. He has only been allowed limited calls to family and has experienced “facial tumors, hypertension, severe malnutrition, and other medical conditions” as a result of his detention.

Former President Joe Biden at the White House (Anna Moneymaker)

While the Taliban admit to holding Glezmann in custody, they insist they do not hold Mahmood Habibi.

TALIBAN DISMISS DISCRIMINATION ACCUSATIONS AS ‘ABSURD’ DESPITE BANNING WOMEN FROM THE PUBLIC IN AFGHANISTAN

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks after being sworn in by Vice President JD Vance in the Vice Presidential Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus Tuesday, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Habibi’s brother Ahmad told Fox News Digital the family “know[s] that my brother is still in Taliban custody. I can’t share too much about that because we don’t want to put him or others at risk. But anyone accepting the Taliban’s hollow suggestions that they do not have him is falling for their lies.

“We have multiple witnesses to his arrest by the [General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI)]. We have multiple witnesses who were held with him at GDI headquarters. The Taliban has always claimed they don’t have him and don’t know who he is. How do they explain the obvious contradictions to this?”

Ahmad also claimed the family “know[s] that the U.S. government has technical evidence that Mahmood was in GDI custody long after his arrest.”

He alleges the Biden National Security Council “micromanaged the State Department’s effort to secure my brother’s release” and “blocked [the State Department] from using the data in their discussions with the Taliban, even though we told them that it would have directly confronted the Taliban’s claims that they never heard of my brother.”

TOP GENERAL IN FIGHT AGAINST THE TALIBAN SAYS AFGHANISTAN HAS ONCE AGAIN BECOME A ‘CRUCIBLE OF TERRORISM’

Neither the State Department nor the National Security Council responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for confirmation of Ahmad’s claims.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Taliban spokespersons Zabihullah Mujahid and Suhail Shaheen about Habibi’s detention and asked Mujahid what happened to Habibi after he was arrested by the GDI. Mujahid did not respond. Shaheen directed Fox News Digital to reach out to the GDI and claimed no knowledge of the situation.

The Taliban have long sought the release of Guantanamo Bay detainee and al Qaeda facilitator Muhammad Rahim in exchange for the Americans they admitted were in their prisons. Ahmad Habibi told CBS News President Biden assured him in a Jan. 12 phone call that the U.S. would not release Rahim unless the Taliban released Habibi.

Taliban fighters in Kabul, Afghanistan (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

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Former Principal Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Hugh Dugan told Fox News Digital the Trump administration could pursue multiple “lines of effort” to secure the release of Glezmann and Habibi.

Dugan said this could involve “outright rescue by the military” at one level or continued “subtle diplomacy in the background.”

Dugan said he recognized that “to say we’re doing everything we can … is not satisfying to a family member, frankly, or anybody, and they want to hear that you’re continuing to identify what might have eluded us all along, or that there’s a crack in the horizon that’s opening.

“And we need to realize that that might be another step in our path to recovery and a line of effort has to be amended to accommodate new realities at any given moment.”

January 26, 2025
Allstate sued for allegedly tracking and selling 45M Americans’ location data

Nowadays, almost every app you download asks for location permissions, meaning it wants to track where you are and your movements. For an app like Google Maps, requesting location access makes perfect sense. It’s also reasonable for apps like Uber or DoorDash, which rely on location for their services.

However, many apps that have nothing to do with location still ask for it, and we often grant these permissions without thinking twice. When you give an app access to your location, that data is stored and, in some cases, might even be sold. According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this practice is not uncommon.

A recent lawsuit filed by Paxton alleges that the insurance company Allstate collected and sold the location data of 45 million Americans’ smartphones.

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Illustration of a company tracking customer’s data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Allstate was allegedly collecting and stealing data

In a press release, Paxton announced that he had sued Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, for unlawfully collecting, using and selling data about the location and movements of Texans’ cellphones. The data was gathered through secretly embedded software in mobile apps, such as Life360. “Allstate and other insurers then used the covertly obtained data to justify raising Texans’ insurance rates,” the press release stated.

The insurance provider allegedly collected trillions of miles’ worth of location data from more than 45 million Americans nationwide. The data was reportedly used to build the “world’s largest driving behavior database.” When customers sought a quote or renewed their coverage, Allstate and other insurance companies allegedly used the database to justify raising car insurance premiums.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Paxton claims the actions violated the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. The lawsuit alleges customers were not clearly informed their data was being collected and did not consent to the practice.

“Our investigation revealed that Allstate and Arity paid mobile apps millions of dollars to install Allstate’s tracking software,” said Paxton. “The personal data of millions of Americans was sold to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent in violation of the law. Texans deserve better and we will hold all these companies accountable.”

We reached out to Allstate and Arity for comments. A rep for the Allstate Corporation provided CyberGuy with this statement: “Arity helps consumers get the most accurate auto insurance price after they consent in a simple and transparent way that fully complies with all laws and regulations.”

Illustration of a person laying out how company tracking works. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MASSIVE SECURITY FLAW PUTS MOST POPULAR BROWSERS AT RISK ON MAC

Car manufacturers apparently do this all the time

Car manufacturers have also been accused of selling similar data to insurance companies. Last year, Paxton sued General Motors for allegedly collecting and selling the private driving data of more than 1.5 million Texans to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent. In addition to insurance companies, data brokers are frequent buyers of customer data. Critics say these brokers fail to adequately protect the information, leaving it vulnerable to hackers. Earlier this month, hackers claimed to have breached Gravy Analytics, a major location data broker and the parent company of Venntel, which is known for selling smartphone location data to U.S. government agencies.

Illustration of a hacker looking at someone’s personal data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

5 ways to stay safe from unwanted tracking

1. Avoid installing the insurance company’s app: Many insurance companies encourage users to download their apps to “simplify” claims, payments or policy management. However, these apps often collect and track your location data under the guise of improving their services. If the app is not absolutely essential, manage your account through the company’s website or contact customer service directly instead.

2. Don’t give location permissions unnecessarily: When an app requests location access, ask yourself whether it genuinely needs this information to function. For example, a weather app may need approximate location data, but a flashlight app does not. Always choose “Deny” or “Allow only while using the app” unless absolutely necessary. Most modern devices also allow you to provide an approximate location rather than a precise one, which is a safer option when location access is unavoidable.

3. Review and manage app permissions regularly: Over time, you may forget which apps have been granted permissions. Regularly go through your device’s app settings to check and adjust permissions. On most devices, you can access this under settings > privacy > app permissions (specific steps vary by operating system). Revoke access for any apps that don’t need it or seem suspicious.

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4. Turn off location services when not in use: Keep location services off when you don’t need them. This reduces the chances of apps or devices tracking you passively in the background. For tasks like mapping or food delivery, turn location services on temporarily, then turn them off when you’re done. For added security, avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which can also be used to track your location indirectly.

5. Use privacy-focused tools and apps: Invest in tools designed to safeguard your privacy. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can mask your location online and prevent unwanted tracking while browsing. VPNs will also protect you from those who want to track and identify your potential location and the websites that you visit. For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices

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Kurt’s key takeaway

If Allstate is indeed unlawfully collecting and selling people’s location data, Attorney General Paxton is right to hold them accountable by filing a lawsuit. In an era where cybercriminals exploit every opportunity to scam individuals, companies that fail to protect customer data are unacceptable and should face consequences. Data has become the new oil, and everyone seems eager to exploit it — often at the expense of ordinary people. Businesses that prioritize profits over privacy erode trust and put consumers at risk, making it crucial to enforce strict accountability for such practices.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

January 25, 2025
Massie and other Republicans push ‘National Constitutional Carry Act’ to protect Americans’ gun rights

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and a slew of other House Republicans are pushing a proposal that would compel states to allow Americans to carry guns in public areas.

The measure, dubbed the “National Constitutional Carry Act,” would prohibit states and localities from limiting U.S. citizens from carrying firearms in public if they are eligible to have the weapons under state and federal law.

“By prohibiting state or local restrictions on the right to bear arms, H.R. 645 upholds the original purpose of the Second Amendment—to ensure the security of a free state—while safeguarding individual liberties against government infringement,” Massie noted, according to a press release.

MASSIE DROPS COLORFUL ANALOGY OPPOSING FOREIGN AID, MOCKS SPEAKER JOHNSON WITH AI-GENERATED IMAGE

Left: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 22, 2024; Center: Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is seen outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024; Right: Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, attends the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Left: Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Center: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Right: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Specifically, the text of the measure stipulates that “No State or political subdivision of a State may impose a criminal or civil penalty on, or otherwise indirectly limit the carrying of firearms (including by imposing a financial or other barrier to entry) in public by residents or nonresidents of that State who are citizens of the United States and otherwise eligible to possess firearms under State and Federal law.”

“Any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of a State or a political subdivision of a State that criminalizes, penalizes, or otherwise indirectly dissuades the carrying of firearms (including by imposing a financial or other barrier to entry) in public by any resident or nonresident who is a United States citizen and otherwise eligible to possess firearms under State and Federal law, shall have no force or effect,” the measure reads.

The measure would not apply to locations “where screening for firearms is conducted under state law,” and it would not block the owners of privately-owned facilities from banning guns on their premises.

Massie and others had previously pushed such a proposal last year as well.

IN ONE U.S. TOWN, RESIDENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO OWN GUNS AND AMMO

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., arrives for the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In 2021, Massie shared a family Christmas photo in which each person was holding a gun.

“Merry Christmas!” the staunch gun rights advocate wrote when sharing the photo, adding, “ps. Santa, please bring ammo.”

In a 2022 post, he criticized the term “Gun Violence,” asserting that it “is part of the language leftists use to shift blame away from evil perpetrators of violence” and that it “suggests that guns are to blame instead of people, which sets the table for their anti-second amendment agenda.”

“There’s a reason you never see a Communist, a Marxist, or even a Socialist politician support the right of common people to keep and bear arms: Those forms of government require more submission to the state than armed citizens would tolerate,” Massie also tweeted in 2022.

REP. MASSIE LAUNCHES ‘MAXIMUM TRIGGERING’ WITH FAMILY CHRISTMAS PHOTO: ‘SANTA, PLEASE BRING AMMO’

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in Cannon building on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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The congressman’s press release lists dozens of House Republicans as original cosponsors, including: Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eric Burlison of Missouri, Ben Cline of Virginia, Michael Cloud of Texas, Mike Collins of Georgia, Eli Crane of Arizona, Brandon Gill of Texas, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Andy Harris of Maryland, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Nick Langworthy of New York, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Mary Miller of Illinois, Barry Moore of Alabama, Nathaniel Moran of Texas, Andrew Ogles of Tennessee, John Rose of Tennessee, Chip Roy of Texas, Keith Self of Texas, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Claudia Tenney of New York, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Randy Weber of Texas and Tony Wied of Wisconsin.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

January 24, 2025
Hackers claim massive breach of company that tracks and sells Americans’ location data

When we talk about data privacy, tech giants like Google and Facebook are often blamed for using personal data to show ads and recommendations. Less discussed are the businesses whose entire business model revolves around collecting your data and selling it to other companies and governments. These companies often operate in legal gray areas, with the consent required to collect user data buried deep in the fine print.

What’s even more concerning is that these data brokers fail to adequately protect the data they collect. Last year, National Public Data made headlines for failing to secure 2.7 billion records of individuals whose data it had harvested. Now, hackers have reportedly stolen data from Gravy Analytics, the parent company of Venntel, which has sold vast amounts of smartphone location data to the U.S. government.

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A woman working on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What you need to know about the breach

Hackers claim to have breached Gravy Analytics, a major location data broker and parent company of Venntel, a firm known for selling smartphone location data to U.S. government agencies. The compromise is massive, including sensitive location data that tracks precise smartphone movements, customer information and even internal infrastructure, according to a 404 Media report.

The hackers are threatening to make the stolen data public. The files contain precise latitude and longitude coordinates of the phone and the time at which the phone was there. Some even indicate what country the data has been collected from.

Hackers have claimed access to Gravy’s systems since 2018. If true, this represents a serious security lapse on the company’s part. It is baffling how companies that collect and sell user data (a practice that arguably shouldn’t be allowed in the first place) failed to protect it from being leaked.

404 Media also suggests that the hackers gained deep access to the company’s infrastructure, including Amazon S3 buckets and server root access. The exposed customer list reportedly includes major companies like Uber, Apple and Equifax as well as government contractors like Babel Street.

A hacker (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HERE’S WHAT RUTHLESS HACKERS STOLE FROM 110 MILLION AT&T CUSTOMERS

What this breach means for people

This data breach highlights the serious security flaws in the location data industry. Companies like Gravy Analytics and Venntel have been profiting from collecting and selling sensitive location data, often without proper user consent. They’ve prioritized profit over security, and now the privacy of millions is at risk. This data could end up on black markets, endangering individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations, by making them targets for harassment or worse.

The FTC’s recent crackdown on Gravy, announced in December, underscores their negligence. The proposed order will prohibit these companies from selling or using location data, except in specific cases like national security or law enforcement. The implications are worrying. Sensitive locations like schools and workplaces could become easy targets for those with malicious intent.

A person using their cellphone and working on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEWARE OF ENCRYPTED PDFs AS THE LATEST TRICK TO DELIVER MALWARE TO YOU

5 ways to stay safe in the age of data breaches

The Gravy Analytics breach serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities in the digital age. While it’s impossible to control how every company handles data, you can take steps to minimize your exposure and protect your privacy. Here are five actionable tips to stay safe.

1) Limit app permissions: Many apps request access to location data, contacts and more, even when it’s not necessary for their functionality. Regularly review the permissions for apps on your smartphone and revoke access to anything that feels excessive. For instance, a weather app doesn’t need access to your microphone or camera.

2) Use a VPN: Virtual private networks (VPNs) can mask your IP address and encrypt your internet activity, making it harder for data brokers and hackers to track your online behavior. A good VPN adds an extra layer of security, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

3) Opt out of data sharing where possible: Some companies allow you to opt out of having your data collected or shared. Services like Your Ad Choices and privacy settings within platforms like Google can help you reduce the amount of data collected. Check for opt-out options with any apps or services you use frequently.

4) Avoid free apps that monetize data: Free apps often generate revenue by selling user data. Instead, consider paid versions of apps that explicitly prioritize privacy. Research the company behind the app to understand its data handling policies before downloading.

5) Invest in data removal services: Data removal services can help you regain some control over your personal information by identifying and removing it from people-search websites, data broker platforms and other online databases. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IS HACKED

Kurt’s key takeaway

Companies that collect and sell user data pose a significant threat to privacy, and when they fail to protect this data, it often ends up in the hands of even worse actors. Cybercriminals, and even some governments, can exploit this information to target individuals. It is crucial to implement stringent repercussions for these companies when they fail in their duty to safeguard user data. A mere slap on the wrist is not enough. We need real accountability to deter negligence and protect individual privacy rights.

Should companies face stronger penalties for failing to protect personal data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

January 23, 2025