Broadening the definition of “personally identifiable information” new FTC rules could prevent photo, video and voice applications common in gaming and other media, as well as screen names, avatars and other features that have become standard practice online, according to IAB.

The FTC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) could “eviscerate COPPA’s support for the internal operations exception,” allowing anonymous data collection, aggregation and analysis for the purposes of fraud detection, product improvement, payment and delivery functions, optimization, statistical reporting, and other basic business functions.

Congress passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, or COPPA, to define FTC authority over websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age.

“We support online privacy for kids, but some of these changes would make it extremely difficult for companies to offer any products or services at all. The FTC is proposing to ban identifiers that encourage or prompt use of a website or online service,’ but that could mean anything,” said Lartease Tiffith, Executive Vice President for Public Policy at IAB. “The FTC has long recognized repeatedly that collecting identifiers… is fundamental to the smooth functioning of the Internet, the quality of the site or service, and the individual’s user experience,” he writes in today’s filing.

Contextual advertising clearly falls under that category, he writes. “The Commission should not disturb the longstanding position that contextual advertising falls within the support for internal operations exception.”

“Data-driven advertising supports and subsidizes the online content and services consumers, including children, rely on and expect. Regulation that impedes data-driven advertising has the potential to disrupt or decrease the varied and enriching content children can access and learn from online.”

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Supports Children’s Online Privacy, Warns FTC Against Rules Jeopardizing Access to Safe, Healthy Content appeared first on IAB.

“IAB fully supports rules prohibiting fake reviews and to punish bad actors. Unfortunately, the FTC’s latest proposal for online reviews, an essential component of success for businesses competing in today’s economy, and a form of free expression, could prohibit incentives for real customer reviews, prevent employees from speaking their minds online, and unfairly punish businesses unable to verify the authenticity of reviews,” said Tiffith.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects internet service providers and platforms from liability for third-party content, for example customer reviews, said Tiffith. “The FTC is underestimating the effects of these rules and needs to explain its conclusions in open dialog. Businesses, including small businesses subject to big fines and penalties, could be punished for the behavior of others.”

In its latest filing with the agency, IAB describes a rushed rulemaking process, similar to one underway for proposed FTC rules for online subscriptions. After the FTC denied IAB’s request for more hearings to cross-examine its experts, an administrative judge has set a third hearing next week, finding in favor of IAB. That hearing for the so-called “negative option” rule will take place on Wednesday. To view IAB’s second FTC appearance next week, click here.

“In its zeal to regulate digital advertising and marketing, the FTC is overlooking myriad benefits to consumers and our economy, as well as some fundamental constitutional issues,” said Tiffith. “We’re making sure officials there have all the facts, and the agency is following procedure, in hopes of narrowing the scope of very broad rules with consequences for every internet user.”

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Defends Online Speech, Commerce at FTC appeared first on IAB.

According to IAB, the CFPB’s “unlawful” interpretation of 2010’s Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act threatens consumers’ ability to understand and access online services including banking and budget apps, tax assistance, and subscription management tools. The CFPB is the latest federal agency to minimize constitutional protections for commercial speech, encompassing advertising and marketing communications. Rather than empowering consumers, the CFPB proposes to restrict consumers’ rights to enter mutually beneficial agreements with financial services providers and their partners, argues IAB.

“Our industry fully supports data access, transparency, and protection for consumers,” said IAB Executive Vice President for Public Policy Lartease Tiffith. “However, the CFPB is overstepping its authority to attack digital advertising. Digital advertising empowers small businesses and consumers. It powers the open internet, including open banking, which the CFPB aims to promote. We’re encouraging the agency to consider the value of data and digital advertising to innovation, jobs and economic growth, and to rethink this troubling element of the NPRM that would harm consumers’ ability to improve their financial understanding and wellbeing.”

The CFPB joins the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in proposing to restrict or eliminate data-driven digital advertising supporting millions of jobs and free online content and services for millions of Americans. IAB is aggressively advocating for the industry in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and internationally.

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post Digital Advertising Vital to Consumer Financial Services, States IAB in Latest Regulatory Filing appeared first on IAB.

On January 16th at 10 am ET, IAB Executive Vice President for Public Policy Lartease Tiffith, who last year called on the FTC to convene a hearing to address problems with new “click to cancel” rules, is scheduled to deliver 10-minute remarks. However,Tiffith underscored problems with the hearing format in a statement today. “IAB appreciates the opportunity to appear, but this very limited, informal hearing is another sign the FTC fails to grasp the significance of its own rules, which could upend a business model with consumer benefits. Mandating more fine print, requiring unworkable technical schemes, and prohibiting businesses from offering better deals without layers of consent, would cost consumers time, money, and services they enjoy.”

“A series of brief remarks at a hearing with a foregone conclusion allows the agency to avoid its responsibility to understand the consequences,” said Tiffith, noting that similar hearings have required several weeks, dozens of witnesses, and thousands of pages of evidence. “Over a thousand stakeholders including IAB, who have submitted public comments to the FTC, should expect an equal level of attention to this important issue for digital advertisers and marketers.”

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB to Appear at FTC “Click To Cancel” Hearing appeared first on IAB.

“IAB is proud to join tech and civil society groups in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to overturn Texas and Florida laws prohibiting content moderation. Editorial control helps to shape a website’s identity, create a brand, and attract an audience, also helping unique and diverse voices to find community and flourish. Content moderation is not only an audience and brand safety issue, however. Laws forcing websites, social media platforms, and other internet services to host objectionable content violate the First Amendment and would upend the internet as we know it. Conflicting state laws would place an enormous burden on providers and convince many to never enter the market in the first place, reducing opportunities for free expression. The Supreme Court must uphold constitutional guarantees, as well as established internet law, to ensure the First Amendment endures.”

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Joins Leading Tech and Civil Society Groups Urging Supreme Court to Overturn Texas and Florida Laws Preventing Content Moderation appeared first on IAB.

In its amicus brief, or “friend of the court” filing, which IAB submitted last month to assist the U.S. District Court for Western Washington to make a just decision, IAB warns the FTC is misrepresenting standard advertising practices, which the agency itself employs, and overstepping its legal and constitutional authority. A ruling in favor of the FTC could subject everything from text color, size, and position to unpredictable punishment and broadly threaten First Amendment-protected commercial speech, or “truthful marketing that the FTC deems to be too convincing.” The FTC failed to block IAB comments from proceedings.

In its reply, IAB successfully argues for their inclusion to enhance the court’s understanding of digital advertising and marketing issues. “Contrary to the FTC’s arguments, the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s proposed amicus brief provides this Court with a unique and important perspective born from IAB’s nearly three decades of experience involving issues in digital advertising and marketing,” writes IAB. The FTC may disagree with IAB’s perspective, “but none of the FTC’s arguments are cogent reasons for disallowing IAB’s participation.”

Offering additional data and context from interested parties, amicus briefs can help to prevent court rulings with unintended consequences. “Whatever happens with Amazon, IAB and its members are gravely concerned about the threat to truthful speech in advertising and uneven, subjective enforcement,” states IAB.

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post U.S. Court Overrules FTC, Orders IAB Insight be Included in “Dark Patterns” Case Affecting Future of Advertising appeared first on IAB.

Broadly defending advertisers and marketers, IAB asserts in its amicus brief that a ruling in favor of the FTC could give the agency nearly unlimited authority to police commercial speech that is neither deceptive nor misleading – the legal standard for penalties.

“What the FTC is actually alleging is that consumers were convinced by an advertiser’s accurate description of a program’s benefits,” according to IAB. In addition to criminalizing effective language, the FTC’s theory of “dark patterns” could criminalize design elements such as size and color. Because they are standard and widespread, IAB notes the FTC employs the same marketing practices it alleges are violations of federal law.

IAB has previously challenged similar FTC rulemaking. In June, the trade association filed public comments disputing proposed rules for “negative options” that would mandate cumbersome online subscription practices. In both cases, IAB has defended the benefits of online marketing and advertising for U.S. consumers, as well as businesses.

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post FTC “Dark Patterns” Theory Crosses Dangerous Constitutional Line, IAB Argues in Amicus Brief to Federal Court appeared first on IAB.

New York, NY April 3, 2023 — IAB Tech Lab and IAB’s Legal Affairs Council announced today the launch of the Privacy Implementation & Accountability Task Force (PIAT). PIAT aims to address privacy implementation and accountability challenges faced by the digital advertising industry by bringing together leading privacy technology vendors, media companies, advertisers, and the supporting ad tech ecosystem.

“PIAT is a joint effort of IAB Tech Lab and IAB Legal Affairs Council, bringing together cross-functional expertise to solve privacy challenges that are increasingly intertwined,” said Michael Hahn, EVP, General Counsel, IAB and IAB Tech Lab. “We believe that through PIAT, we can foster a new generation of privacy technology that can be leveraged to meet the new diligence and accountability requirements under state privacy laws.”

PIAT will provide a forum for the digital advertising industry to come together, create shared understandings and define best practices in privacy implementation, as well as encourage innovation in privacy tech development. Its mission is to drive consensus on privacy implementation and accountability and to solve some of the most difficult privacy challenges embedded in industry technology. Doing so will lead to better consumer privacy protection as required under applicable law.

PIAT’s working group will explore an array of privacy challenges, including the need for a common privacy taxonomy; define the limits of current privacy tech to meet new accountability standards and facilitate and encourage the market to develop the next generation of privacy tech; address data disclosures that occur in server to server transfers, as well as in the ad creative; and establish privacy implementation best practices such as in data discovery, mapping, developing low-friction user interfaces, and more.

“We recognize that the diverse range of privacy vendors and their offerings offer substantial benefits to the marketplace. However, this diversity also presents significant challenges, such as inconsistent privacy approaches and communication difficulties across parties that utilize different technologies,” said Anthony Katsur, CEO, IAB Tech Lab. “As new privacy laws and regulations come into effect, the digital advertising industry will be expected to meet higher standards of accountability for privacy compliance. PIAT aims to be a key player in addressing these challenges and ensuring more reliable consumer privacy experiences and accountability in the digital ad ecosystem.”

For more information about PIAT and how to participate in the working group, visit https://bit.ly/joinPIAT.

About IAB Technology Laboratory

Established in 2014, the IAB Technology Laboratory (Tech Lab) is a non-profit consortium that engages a member community globally to develop foundational technology and standards that enable growth and trust in the digital media ecosystem. Comprised of digital publishers, ad technology firms, agencies, marketers, and other member companies, IAB Tech Lab focuses on solutions for brand safety and ad fraud; identity, data, and consumer privacy; ad experiences and measurement; and programmatic effectiveness. Its work includes the OpenRTB real-time bidding protocol, ads.txt anti-fraud specification, Open Measurement SDK for viewability and verification, VAST video specification, and Project Rearc initiative for privacy-centric addressability including the Global Privacy Platform. Board members/companies are listed at https://iabtechlab.com/about-the-iab-tech-lab/tech-lab-leadership/. For more information, please visit https://iabtechlab.com.

About the IAB Legal Affairs Council

The Legal Affairs Council is a forum for legal professionals of IAB General Member companies to identify legal issues in the interactive advertising community, develop or recommend solutions and help improve the legal interaction amongst IAB Member participants, including the role of the in-house counsel. The Council focuses on advancing the efficacy of contractual matters involved in the interactive advertising community, including the IAB/AAAAs Standard Terms and Conditions for interactive media buys, and will lead best practice development or stakeholder education pertaining to legal issues in the interactive advertising community as required.

Media Contacts
Michael Vaughan / Brittany Tibaldi
813-210-1706 / 347-487-6794
mvaughan@kcsa.com / btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Tech Lab and IAB Legal Affairs Council Announce New Privacy Implementation & Accountability Task Force to Address Industry Challenges appeared first on IAB.

However, Tiffith warns of FTC overreach that could stifle online discourse, penalize businesses acting in good faith, and violate provisions of internet law and First Amendment protections. He warns that companies could be liable for third-party comments, including subjective opinion, and new rules could also “impose significant costs on legitimate businesses, when a rule targeted at the behavior of bad actors would be a much more effective and efficient mechanism to address the problem” of fake reviews.

IAB supports several FTC proposals in the agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), such as prohibiting the purchase of reviews, but warns other provisions could prohibit businesses from collecting or incentivizing reviews in any form. “Many of the proposed provisions are overly-broad and would prohibit practices that are consumer-friendly and where the record does not demonstrate a prevalent deceptive practice,” according to IAB’s filing.

The trade association is calling for an informal FTC hearing to share its members’ perspectives on preventing deceptive or unfair practices without overburdening legitimate business activity.

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Tumino / Brittany Tibaldi
212-896-1252 / 347-487-6794
ktumino@kcsa.com/ btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Warns FTC’s Proposed “Fake Review” Rules Could Penalize Honest Opinion and Companies Operating in Good Faith appeared first on IAB.

Publishers, Platforms, Agencies, and Brands Will Set the Course for 2024, Tackling the Most Pressing Issues in Digital Marketing including: AI, Commerce, Privacy, Streaming, and More

Confirmed Speakers Include Bob Bakish, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Tariq Hassan, and Aaron Sorkin with More to Come 

NEW YORK, October 4, 2023 – The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the digital media and marketing trade association, today unveiled details of its Annual Leadership Meeting (ALM), to be held on January 28-30 at the JW Marriott in Marco Island, Florida. As the central thought leadership event for IAB, ALM aims to advance the digital media and marketing industry and set the agenda for the year ahead.

The theme of the event, “It Starts Here”, challenges industry leaders from agencies, publishers, platforms, and brands to strategize, and adapt to ever-changing trends such as generative AI, commerce, privacy, a streaming-first future, responsible media, attention and creativity, and more.

“ALM is inspiration, education, discussion, debate, and where business happens. Attendees come to immerse themselves in the digital challenges and opportunities that will shape our world in the coming years. This year, we have a lot to tackle, from the long-awaited deprecation of third-party cookies to building a vibrant and responsible digital ecosystem. At the end of the day, things get done at ALM. Agendas are set, and we move forward together,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB.

Confirmed speakers this far include:

• Bob Bakish, President, Paramount Global​
• Senator Marsha Blackburn​
• Jon Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer, Comscore
• Stephanie Dobbs Brown, Chief Marketing Officer, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)​
• Victoria Garrick Brown, TED Talk speaker, mental health advocate, podcast host, and former Division I athlete
• Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s​
• Terence Kawaja, CEO & Founder, LUMA Partners​
• Karthik Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Nielsen
• Jenna Lebel, Chief Marketing Officer, Liberty Mutual​
• Aaron Sorkin, Award-Winning Writer/Producer​
• Josh Stinchcomb, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Wall Street Journal | Barron’s Group

*Please check the ALM website at iab.com/alm for the most up-to-date list of speakers.

Cohen continued, “ALM has expanded beyond its historical composition to now represent the full digital ecosystem. We expect more buy-side constituents than ever including leadership from brands and agencies to complement the impressive gathering of publisher, platform, and ad tech executives.”

ALM is where the advertising industry first tackled the biggest trends and new topics such as the demise of the cookie, growth opportunities around direct-to-consumer, eliminating fraud in the digital ecosystem, the value of responsible journalism, government regulation in the data economy, and making mobile work for advertisers and publishers.

For more information, please visit – https://www.iab.com/events/alm-2024/. Agenda and additional list of speakers to be announced soon.

About IAB

The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Brittany Tibaldi / Michael Vaughan
347-487-6794 / 813-210-1706
btibaldi@kcsa.com / mvaughan@kcsa.com

The post IAB Announces its Annual Leadership Meeting (ALM 2024), Bringing Industry Leaders to Set the Stage for the Year Ahead appeared first on IAB.