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Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that can be serious. Every year, millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from the flu. You have the power to protect yourself and your family this season with these three actions to fight the flu. Learn more about how you can fight the flu this season at www.cdc.gov/fightflu The difference in wage, safety and benefit protections between employees and contractors can vary considerably. If your employer has classified you as a contractor, but you're actually an employee, you’re missing out on protections that you're entitled to—and that’s bad news for everyone. Read this fact sheet to learn more about misclassification. Find out more about how misclassification affects employees and employers. Learn more about labor laws. If you’ve been misclassified, select your state on this map for more information. You can also file a complaint with the Department of Labor today.   Σήμερα στις 5:45 μ.μ. Participation is voluntary, but live up to what you promise By Lesley Fair To facilitate the transfer of data, many U.S. companies that do business internationally participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. It’s voluntary, of course, but if companies say they participate, that representation – like other objective claims – must be truthful. That’s the lesson of three proposed settlements just announced by the FTC. Read more > Σήμερα στις 5:36 μ.μ. Three Companies Settle FTC Charges that They Deceived Consumers About Participation in International Privacy Program Three U.S. companies have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers about their participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. In separate but similar complaints, the FTC charged that Sentinel Labs, Inc., which provides endpoint protection software to enterprise customers; SpyChatter, Inc., marketer of the SpyChatter private message app; and Vir2us, Inc., which distributes cyber security software; falsely represented in their online privacy policies that they participated in the APEC CBPR system.  The APEC CBPR system facilitates privacy-respecting data transfers between APEC member economies through a voluntary, enforceable mechanism, which certifies companies as being compliant with APEC CBPR program requirements. The APEC CBPR system is based on nine data privacy principles: preventing harm, notice, collection limitation, use choice, integrity, security safeguards, access and correction, and accountability. Companies that seek to participate in the APEC CBPR system must undergo a review by an APEC-recognized accountability agent, which certifies companies that meet the standards. The three companies, however, were not and had never been certified, according to the complaints. “Cross-border commerce is an important driver of economic growth, and our cross-border privacy commitments help enable U.S. companies to compete around the world,” said Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen. “Companies, however, must live up to the promises they make to protect consumer data.” The complaints allege that the companies violated the FTC Act by making deceptive statements that they participated in the APEC CBPR. The Commission also alleges that SentinelOne falsely claimed that it was a participant in a TRUSTe privacy program. Under the terms of the settlement with the FTC, the three companies are prohibited from misrepresenting their participation, membership or certification in any privacy or security program sponsored by a government or self-regulatory or standard-setting organization. The Commission vote to issue administrative complaints and to accept the consent agreements related to the three companies was 2-0. The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through March 23, 2017, after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Interested parties can submit comments electronically by following the instructions in the “Invitation To Comment” part of the “Supplementary Information” section. NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $40,654. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program XtraHRD Natural Male Enhancement Capsules by Organic Herbal Supply, Inc.: Recall - Undeclared Drug Ingredient AUDIENCE: Consumer ISSUE: Organic Herbal Supply, Inc. is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of all lots of XtraHRD Natural Male Enhancement capsules. FDA analysis has found the product to contain Tadalafil. Tadalafil is a FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). The active drug ingredients are not listed on the label for this product. Use of this product may pose a threat to consumers because the undeclared active ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these conditions, and consumers may seek these types of products to enhance sexual performance. BACKGROUND: XtraHRD Natural Male Enhancement capsules are marketed as a dietary supplement for erectile dysfunction. It is packaged in 2, 4 and 10 count packages and sold nationwide. RECOMMENDATION: Organic Herbal Supply, advises any customers in possession of the XtraHRD to stop using and return any unused product for a full refund to the company directly. Customers can call 855-429-7328 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time for instructions on the return and refund process. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: Complete and submit the report Online:www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the press release, at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm542591.htm