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.
Comprehensive Online Tracking is Not Unique to ISPs
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee (Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law) held a hearing to explore the FCC’s proposed privacy rules regulating Broadband Internet Access Service providers (a subset of Internet Service Providers, or ISPs).
Study: Mobile ad block use up, but fewer users turning limit ad tracking on
According to Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, the limit ad tracking feature hasn’t been heavily surveyed. So while Koestier’s comment might be comforting for marketers, this means it’s possible that most mobile users are simply unaware the feature exists.
GAO Report – Information and Issues Regarding Surreptitious Tracking Apps
Responding to a request by the Senate Judiciary Committee, a new GAO report analyzes the role of smartphone tracking apps in facilitating stalking, and the potential responses the federal government may take against their developers.
Use of Limit Ad Tracking Drops as Ad Blocking Grows
Behind the scenes in the escalating war between ad-blocking consumers and advertisers and ad-supported publishers, the use of one privacy tool has decreased. Mobile marketing platform firm Tune reports that, as the number of ad-blocker downloads rises, the limit-ad-tracking feature available in iOS and Android devices has actually dropped.
Clear Channel Faces New Questions Over 'Spying Billboards'
Earlier this year, Clear Channel unveiled a new outdoor advertising initiative that involves telling marketers whether their stores are visited by consumers who have viewed ads on billboards.
Announcing the Launch of ResearchChoices.org
“Research Choices is an important step forward for research companies and will help consumers better understand how data is used to make decisions by a wide range of organizations.” – Jules Polonetsky From the ESOMAR Press Release Amsterdam, January 28, 2016: Top market research agencies comScore, GfK, Kantar, and Nielsen announced today the launch of […]
In-Store Location Tracking: A Holiday Guide
In these final remaining days before Christmas, last-minute holiday shopping is in full swing. The window for online delivery is closing, and more shoppers this week will be doing their holiday shopping the old-fashioned way—in the store.
Cross-Device: Understanding the State of State Management
On Friday, October 16, the Future of Privacy Forum filed comments with the FTC in advance of the FTC’s Cross Device Workshop on Nov. 16, 2015. Jules Polonetsky and Stacey Gray have prepared a report, Cross-Device: Understanding the State of State Management, based on revisions to FPF’s comments filed with the FTC on October 16th, that aims to describe […]
Android M and Privacy: Giving Users Control over App Permissions
Android M and Privacy: Giving Users Control over App Permissions Android M promises to deliver several new user-control features built to advance transparency, choice, and predictability. The new App Permissions system allows users to select permissions specific to each app and device feature. The granular system requires apps to request user permissions individually as the […]
FPF Senior Fellow Peter Swire Provide Comments to the FCC on Broadband Consumer Privacy
Later today, Peter Swire, FPF Senior Fellow, will participate at the FCC’s public workshop on broadband consumer privacy. He also prepared written comments expanding on his thoughts. Professor Swire summarizes his research as follows: First, I examine the effect of the Section 222(a) definition of “proprietary information” as compared with the Section 222(c) definition of […]