In the latest Bulldog wrapup of technology and life science news:

  • AT&T to pay $7.8M in ‘cramming’ cases

AT&T has agreed to pay nearly $7.8 million to settle government allegations of unauthorized third-party charges for directory assistance services not provided.

The Federal Communications Commission on Monday announced the settlement with the Dallas-based telecommunications giant. Billing for unauthorized charges is known as “cramming.”

An FCC statement says AT&T allowed scammers to charge some customers about $9 per month for a sham directory assistance service. The scheme was uncovered by federal agents investigating drug-related crimes and money laundering.

The FCC says AT&T received a fee from some companies that added the charges to customer bills but never provided the services.

AT&T will issue refunds, totaling $6.8 million, to current and former consumers who were charged the fee since 2012. AT&T also agreed to pay a $950,000 government fine.

  • NBCUniversal, Snapchat strike a deal

NBCUniversal has agreed to make customized episodes of “The Tonight Show,” ”Saturday Night Live” and several other shows for Snapchat under a multiyear deal between the broadcast network and social media app.

NBC says episodes of “The Voice” and “E! News” from E! Entertainment Television, which is owned by NBCUniversal, will be the first of its programs to be shown on the Snapchat Discover platform. Those shows will be followed by original episodes of “Saturday Night Live” and Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show.”

In return, NBC plans to develop and sell advertising packages that include Snapchat as part of the deal.

This isn’t the first deal between New York-based NBC and Venice, California-based Snapchat. The companies currently are partnering on an NBC Rio Olympic channel for Snapchat Discover.

  • Solid outlook from Valeant, promised changes, fire up shares

Drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals says it’s undergoing a restructuring as its new CEO tries to turn the company around and repair its tattered reputation.

Valeant has come under a harsh spotlight for repeatedly buying older medicines with limited competition and then jacking their prices up threefold or more, with no changes or improvements to the drugs. And it’s been hit with three ongoing federal probes into its accounting and business practices.

Today, Valeant is reporting a loss of $302.3 million, from $53 million a year ago. Still, its shares jumped after sticking by its financial forecast for the year and saying it would unveil a new strategy.

  • GM begins autonomous car tests in Scottsdale, Arizona

General Motors and its autonomous technology company Cruise Automation are testing self-driving cars on the streets of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Testing of self-driving electric Chevrolet Bolts began in Arizona about two weeks ago. It’s the second city for GM’s real-world tests. Autonomous Bolts with Cruise Automation software have been driving around San Francisco since May 20.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly says the company is considering other cities for tests but wasn’t ready to announce locations.

He would not say how many Bolts are being tested. Although the cars drive autonomously, Kelly says they all have human backup drivers.

GM acquired San Francisco-based Cruise Automation in March for $581 million in cash and GM stock. Kelly says the company has opened an office in Scottsdale.