Briefcase

CHICAGO – Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels has resigned amid a backlash to reports of raunchy behavior at the media company.

Friday’s resignation ends Michaels’ 10-month reign as CEO. His departure lets the troubled media company focus on emerging from bankruptcy protection instead of dealing with the perception that its leader had fostered the sexist culture of a “frat house.”

Tribune owns the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and 19 TV stations. It is preparing to file its latest plan to end a nearly two-year stint under bankruptcy protection.

Last week, one of his top lieutenants resigned for sending out an internal memo with an Internet link to a racy video.

The New York Times focused on Michaels’ bawdy management style in a front-page story published two weeks ago.

Amazon’s ‘bamboo’ claim interests FTC

SEATTLE – Internet retailer Amazon.com says the Federal Trade Commission is considering taking action against it for selling rayon products as “bamboo.”

Amazon says the FTC contacted it in July, saying it might recommend enforcement proceedings against the Seattle-based company for advertising textile-fiber products as “bamboo,” when they’re actually made of rayon manufactured from bamboo – an alleged trade law violation.

Amazon says it does not believe it violated any trade laws and is cooperating with the FTC’s investigation.

According to Bloomberg News, the FTC warned Amazon, Wal-Mart Stores, J.C. Penney and 75 other retailers in February they could face fines if they try to sell rayon clothing labeled as bamboo.

Google tightening privacy measures

SAN FRANCISCO – Google Inc. is tightening its privacy leash on employees in an effort to ensure they don’t intrude on people while the Internet search leader collects and stores information about its users.

Besides promoting longtime employee Alma Whitten to be its director of privacy, Google said Friday that it will require all 23,000 of its employees to undergo privacy training. The company also is introducing more checks aimed at making sure workers are obeying the rules.

Google’s tougher privacy measures appear to be a response to recent breaches that have raised questions about the company’s internal controls and policies.