Addressing the privacy issues related to advertising technology and online tracking has been a key focus since FPF’s founding. Increasingly, the mobile advertising space, geo-location tracking, and indoor positioning technologies are at the forefront of online data management, retail, and new consumer offerings. Thus, it is not surprising that regulators, industry leaders, and advocates are taking a hard look at questions about how to appropriately collect and handle consumer data for advertising, location-based targeting, and audience measurement. Additionally, as public awareness of targeted and personalized advertising grows, organizations are pushed to deliver more helpful, relevant ads by less intrusive means. FPF curates a gallery of leading practices, provides up-to-date analysis of emerging and evolving technologies, convenes stakeholders in a monthly working group call, and works with policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to support leading privacy practices for the use of location data.
Do Not Track May Be Back on Track
In November 2012, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) named FPF Senior Fellow Peter Swire as co-chair of the W3C’s Tracking Protection Working Group, a multistakeholder group working to create a meaningful Do-Not-Track (DNT) mechanism. At the time that Peter was appointed, the DNT negotiations were described by the New York Times as having “devolved […]
FTC's Second Kid's App Report: Disclosures Not Making the Grade
The Federal Trade Commission has just released of their second report reviewing the practices of apps targeted to kids. “Apps are often free, which is great for kids and easy on their parents wallet.” FPF Co-Chair and Director, Jules Polonetsky said, ” but when free means in return for data, app developers must understand the legal obligations that come […]
It’s Not How Much Data You Have, But How You Use It
On Thursday, December 6, 2012, the FTC is hosting a panel to “explore the practices and privacy implications of comprehensive collection of data about consumers’ online activities.” Initially envisioned to grapple with the question of ISPs using data about consumers for advertising, the topic for discussion has since broadened to include a range of business […]
FPF Announces Privacy Papers for Policy Makers 2012
The Future of Privacy Forum Announces Privacy Papers for Policy Makers 2012 WASHINGTON – The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) today released the 2012 Privacy Papers for Policy Makers, highlighting eight leading privacy writings that were voted by the FPF Advisory Board to be most useful for policy makers. The papers cover a wide array […]
New Advertising & Marketing Programs for Top Wireless Carriers
Some mobile advertising and reporting news coming out of Advertising Week in NYC, as two wireless carriers make announcements about their marketing and advertising programs. Sprint announced the launch of its new advertising platform called Pinsight Media+ in which customers will have “choice and control over whether they have their data anonymously used so that advertisers using the platform can […]
Senate Commerce Testimony on Privacy and Self-Regulation
On June 28, Ohio State law professor and FPF Senior Fellow Peter Swire testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on “The Need for Privacy Protections: Is Industry Self-Regulation Adequate?” Other witnesses were: Alex Fowler, Global Privacy and Policy Leader for Mozilla; Bob Liodice, President and CEO of the Association of National Advertisers; and Berin Szoka […]
July 9, 2012 – Privacy risks rising from ads in apps, New Europe
Several advertising networks have access to millions of smartphones globally, after they have been secretly collecting app users personal details over the past year, U.S.-based mobile security firm LookOut said.
July 9, 2012 – 17% of personalisation apps and 8% of entertainment apps have aggressive ad networks, The Drum
With approximately 50 per cent of free apps powered by ad networks, research has found that five per cent of these have ‘aggressive’ ad networks.
July 9, 2012 – Privacy risk from ads in apps rising, Reuters
Some advertising networks have been secretly collecting app users personal details over the past year and now have access to millions of smartphones globally, U.S.-based mobile security firm Lookout said.
June 29, 2012 – James Grimmelmann and Peter Swire Testify on Do Not Track, TAP
Recognizing that consumer information is the currency of the web, both sides of Congress have recently held hearings to work toward an understanding of how to balance the needs of businesses for user data and the needs of consumers to have some control over their personal online information.