IAB’s EVP for Public Policy, Lartease Tiffith, highlighted several issues with the proposed APRA, particularly its approach to targeted advertising and small business exemptions. “The APRA’s classification of ordinary browsing history as sensitive data demanding opt-in consent could severely impact the availability of free online content and services,” Tiffith explained. IAB research underscores that most consumers appreciate free content and are in favor of transparency rather than restrictive measures.

The letter also points out the impracticality of the exemption criteria for small businesses, which could hinder their growth and sustainability due to unrealistic revenue and data processing limits.

Regarding KOSA, IAB supports the initiative to safeguard children online but warns that the legislation as it stands could significantly stifle the growth of digital advertising, crucial for supporting free or low-cost services accessible to children. IAB advises reconsidering the ‘constructive knowledge standard’ which imposes excessive burdens on businesses to verify user ages.

IAB also stresses the importance of a single, uniform federal privacy law. “Without clear federal preemption, businesses and consumers across states will face a confusing patchwork of regulations,” Tiffith noted, urging Congress to ensure that national standards override state laws, providing consistency across the board.

“IAB remains committed to working with the Committee and all stakeholders to refine these proposals, ensuring that they support innovation and growth while protecting consumer privacy and children’s online safety.”

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 collaboration 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 Expresses Concerns Over Proposed Online Privacy and Children’s Safety Legislation appeared first on IAB.

“We thank Judge Carol Fox Foelak for hearing the evidence that the new rules would cost businesses a lot more than the FTC estimates. In fact, the judge found that the FTC failed to properly analyze the potential effects of more fine print and one-size-fits-all mandates for different platforms and devices, which would ruin consumers’ online experience,” said IAB’s Executive Vice President for Public Policy Lartease Tiffith, who argued against the changes in several public hearings.

“The FTC’s proposed changes may also violate business owners’ free speech rights, preventing them from offering customers better deals, and would discourage people from subscribing to valuable products and services in the first place,” he added.

The judge noted discrepancies in the FTC’s economic calculations, finding that its estimates of labor and other costs point to a total compliance burden of significantly higher than $100 million, the threshold at which the agency must perform a more thorough review of its proposal.

“It’s clear the FTC overstepped its boundaries and underestimated the costs of these changes to popular services,” said Tiffith. “IAB will continue to work with our partners and the agency to produce a better outcome for businesses and consumers.”

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 collaboration 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 Wins Victory at FTC for Businesses and Consumers appeared first on IAB.

Members of Congress addressed the American Privacy Rights Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act 2.0, Kids Online Safety Act, and other bills to regulate digital advertising, online media platforms and content, and the internet. “Like legislators, we want to foster a healthy online environment for kids, where they can continue to access beneficial, age-appropriate content. We also want to make sure bills to protect all Americans’ data privacy also protect the benefits of the ad-supported internet, including millions of jobs across the country and a large share of U.S. economic growth,” said IAB’s Executive Vice President for Public Policy Lartease Tiffith in a statement accompanying his letter to Congress.

“The Internet is built on the continuous exchanges of data between devices and servers. Without these data exchanges, the Internet and its social, cultural, economic, and personal benefits would not exist,” he writes in his letter. According to IAB, without changes, data privacy legislation in Congress could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenue and compliance costs for businesses of every size, as well as increased costs for small businesses and consumers, unable to afford higher advertising prices or new paywalls and subscriptions for previously free, ad-supported products and services.

Specifically, vague language, exemptions, and carve-outs in the American Privacy Rights Act could encourage a patchwork of state laws, fines at multiple levels of government, and a barrage of lawsuits. Exceeding restrictions in many state laws, the bill would ban anonymous browsing and video viewing history helping media publishers, including small website publishers, to better serve audiences and earn income. Language in the proposed Kids Online Safety Act could force businesses to treat every online visitor as a child, creating impediments to access for general audiences. As an extreme example, the Banning Surveillance Advertising Act, another subject of today’s hearing, could effectively eliminate the commercial internet.

“We appreciate Congress’ hard work and intent to protect Americans’ and especially children’s privacy,” said Tiffith. “But we should also remember that the internet and digital advertising have been a democratizing force, allowing more people to communicate, create, and advocate for issues important to them. Small businesses can compete nationally or even globally. IAB research shows consumers understand the value of data exchange and personalized advertising. Our country has been a technology leader, because we have allowed innovation to flourish. IAB is urging Congress to add more balance to legislation that could have some very negative unintended consequences.”

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 collaboration 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 Raises Concerns About New National Data Privacy Proposal appeared first on IAB.

“This proposal provides exemptions for small businesses relying on data and digital advertising to compete in today’s economy, and it reflects a majority of state laws requiring opt-out mechanisms for consumers who may not want personalized ads or content,” he said. “However, it’s important that the bill fully preempt state laws to create a uniform national code. A private right of action could create a flood of lawsuits, so it’s important that the language be airtight. Companies should have at least a year to comply before enforcement starts.”

The American Data Privacy Act is an update to the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, which failed to earn Senate support in the previous Congress. This year’s bicameral, bipartisan bill is a major step forward, said Tiffith. “IAB will continue to emphasize digital advertising’s contributions to innovation, jobs, and economic growth, as we encourage policymakers to make additional needed changes to the legislation.”

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 collaboration 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 Praises Progress, Seeks Improvements to National Data Privacy Legislation appeared first on IAB.