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It is not uncommon to hear that a child wants to be a content creator – making a living by sharing their hobbies, likes, and interests with a following on a social media platform like YouTube. A common business model for successful content creators is to work in paid partnership with a brand to market … Continue reading Protecting Child Influencers → The post Protecting Child Influencers appeared first on BBB National Programs.

For the last 50 years, companies marketing to children have held each other to a higher standard. In 1974 the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) was established as the U.S. mechanism of independent self-regulation to protect children under age 13 from deceptive or inappropriate advertising. Over the years and as technology evolved, CARU expanded to … Continue reading The Evolution of Advertising in the Children's Space → The post The Evolution of Advertising in the Children's Space appeared first on BBB National Programs.

On October 7, the negotiations between the U.S. and European Commission regarding the future of the data privacy frameworks behind the Privacy Shield program were completed with the release of a Presidential Executive Order, passing the baton to the EU for the start of their adequacy process. Finally, after two years of limbo, the 5,000 businesses that … Continue reading The Future of EU-U.S. Data Transfers →

Think about the times you felt tricked or frustrated by a membership or subscription that had a seamless signup process but was later difficult to cancel. Something that should be simple and transparent can be complicated, intentionally or unintentionally, in ways that impair consumer choice. These are examples of dark patterns. Unfortunately, dark patterns are … Continue reading Where is the Line Between Ethical Design and Dark Patterns? →

The metaverse is still a bit of a mystery. Though it will soon begin to integrate physical and virtual worlds, no one has the answers as to exactly what that merge will look like. On this episode of Privacy Abbreviated, hosts Dona and Catherine are joined by Tracy Shapiro, a privacy expert, and partner at … Continue reading The Metaverse Will Blur the Lines Between Physical and Online Privacy →

For years, the direct selling industry carried a stigma of frauds and pyramid schemes, but in 2019, the Direct Selling Association decided to take control of its reputation. They enlisted the help of BBB National Programs to develop a self-regulatory program. From this partnership came the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC). In this episode of … Continue reading How is Direct Selling Advertising Different? →

As a consumer, do you see value in targeted advertising or are you creeped out by marketers tracking you across the internet? In this episode of Privacy Abbreviated, hosts Catherine and Dona are joined by the host of the MarTech Podcast and founder of I Hear Everything, Ben Shapiro. Together, they discuss how small and … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Grey of Targeted Advertising →

When you hear a claim in an advertisement like, “best in the world,” you probably know that the product has not been measurably proven to actually be the best in the world. And that's okay, because this is an example of puffery, an exaggerated, blustering, or boastful statement or general claim that could only be … Continue reading Revisiting the Best Podcast Episode Ever: What is Puffery? →

Understanding how to present scientific evidence in a substantiation case can be difficult, especially when the data is complex or no industry standard exists. In this episode of Ad Watchers, the hosts discuss a complex topic: how should marketers put scientific data to use? They answer this question by diving into different types of scientific … Continue reading How Should You Present Scientific Evidence to Support Your Ad Claims? →

Looking back even just five years ago, the privacy landscape looked nothing like it does today – there was no General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), no California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the demands on businesses were much different. In the first episode of Privacy Abbreviated, hosts Catherine Dawson and Dona Fraser are joined by … Continue reading The State of Privacy: How Did We Get Here? →

BBB National Programs is pleased to introduce Privacy Abbreviated. Hosted by privacy experts Dona Fraser and Catherine Dawson, this new podcast series will discuss the impact of privacy laws and tech innovation on small and medium-sized companies and what business leaders can do to meet challenges in this evolving landscape. As we gear up for … Continue reading Introducing Privacy Abbreviated: Meet the Hosts →

The cosmetics industry is booming and it is easy to see why: most people want to look younger, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and feel like they are taking care of their skin. But just like claims for dietary supplements, beauty product claims must be truthful, not misleading, and require substantiation. In this episode of … Continue reading What Should You Consider Before Making Cosmetics Claims? →

Consumer perception surveys are notoriously difficult to get right – from what you ask, to who you ask, to how you ask it, there is a lot of room for things to go wrong. In this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts provide an overview of some of the biggest points to consider when creating consumer … Continue reading How to Get Consumer Perception Surveys Right? →

As consumers are increasingly focused on the impact of their purchasing decisions, companies are looking to convey information on the environmental attributes of their products, services, and sustainability performance. In the season two premiere of Ad Watchers, La Toya Sutton and her new co-host, Eric Unis, walk listeners through environmental benefit claims, or “green claims,” … Continue reading How Can You Avoid the Grey Areas of Green Claims? →

As the drumbeat to modernize the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) continues, all components of the 1998 law have come under scrutiny, particularly the Safe Harbor provision. Under COPPA, the FTC has the ability to approve industry groups to administer self-regulatory programs implementing the protections for children outlined in the rule. Recently, some lawmakers … Continue reading COPPA Questions: Are Safe Harbors Effective? →

Any sort of advertising claims related to health or wellness have a special place within advertising claims substantiation: all advertising claims need a reasonable basis, but when it comes to health claims, that reasonable basis has to be competent and reliable scientific evidence, or CARSE. This means that the results of any study done should … Continue reading What Evidence Do You Need to Support Health Claims? →

In this episode of The Accountability Studio, host Cobun Zweifel-Keegan is joined by two industry professionals for a deep-dive into one company's innovative approach to data privacy, accountability, and trust. Listen in to hear Josh Harris, BBB National Programs' Director of Global Privacy Initiatives, and Harvey Jang, Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer at Cisco … Continue reading Data Privacy Accountability in Practice: A Case Study of Cisco →

In the increasingly digital landscape, the influence of word-of-mouth has gone viral. Before making a purchase, consumers frequently turn to a product or service's reviews and ratings. Since consumers trust what other consumers have to say, brands want to leverage these voices—but are they responsible for them? In this episode, Hal and La Toya explore … Continue reading When Are Advertisers Responsible for Consumer Ratings and Reviews? →

Despite this generation's comfort navigating digital spaces today, they still face the same cognitive limitations – and therefore, vulnerabilities – that they always have. This reality is just one of the reasons that BBB National Programs' Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) recently issued revised guidelines to assure that advertising directed to children is not deceptive, unfair, or … Continue reading What Do CARU's Revised Guidelines Mean for Advertisers? →

When you hear a claim in an advertisement like, “best in the world,” you probably know that the product has not been measurably proven to actually be the best in the world. And that's okay, because this is an example of puffery, an exaggerated, blustering, or boastful statement or general claim that could only be … Continue reading The Best Podcast Episode Ever: What is Puffery? →

In this episode of The Accountability Studio, Moderator Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Deputy Director of Privacy Initiatives at BBB National Programs, is joined by two industry professionals for an informative conversation on the cross-border privacy rules (CBPR) system, a voluntary framework with a global impact. BBB National Programs Director of Global Privacy Initiatives Josh Harris,  and Sam … Continue reading The Past and Future of Privacy Accountability: Is CBPR a Model? →

When you see an advertisement, you are likely taking in much more than just the words you are presented with. The visuals, sounds, and way the language is presented can all impact the implied messages that consumers take away. In general, advertisers are required to have a reasonable basis for all messages conveyed, whether express … Continue reading How Do We Step into the Shoes of the Consumer? →

  While it may seem like a niche issue to some, disclosures are something every advertising lawyer needs to know about. On this episode of Ad Watchers, hosts Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down the ‘Four Ps' that advertisers must keep in mind when it comes to disclosures: prominence, presentation, placement, and proximity. … Continue reading What's the Recipe for a Proper Advertising Disclosure? →

Advertisers are required to have a “reasonable basis” for their advertising claims, but what is “reasonable” in terms of support and the level and type of evidence needed? In this episode of the Ad Watchers, hosts Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down the standard that helps us determine what is reasonable: the Pfizer … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Have a “Reasonable Basis” Standard? →

In the inaugural episode of The Accountability Studio, moderator Mary Engle, Executive Vice President, Policy poses a fundamental question to the leadership of BBB National Programs: Does independent, industry self-regulation really work? Program leaders responded with an empathic ‘yes,’ but also laid out the numerous factors that can contribute to the success or failure of … Continue reading With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility →

In the Ad Watchers podcast series, National Advertising Division (NAD) attorneys Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down common advertising practices to reveal the complexity of keeping claims truthful and accurate. In this first episode, the hosts talk about the guiding principle behind all NAD decisions: consumer understanding. Hal and La Toya discuss what … Continue reading So, Who’s Making These Advertising Rules? →

Many privacy professionals see the depletion of third-party cookies, paired with several technological, political, and cultural factors, as the perfect storm for privacy and adtech – one that will bring about fundamental changes to the advertising industry and the broader digital marketplace. In this episode, Colin O’Malley, Founder of the Lucid Privacy Group, Christy Harris, … Continue reading The Perfect Storm for Privacy and Adtech: How the End of the Cookie Era Will Reshape the Digital Marketplace →

As the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the digital environment, online engagement has increased across user demographics. In this episode, authors of the BBB National Program’s paper Risky Business: The Current State of Teen Privacy in the Android App Marketplace join us to provide insight into the importance of protecting teenage users. Listen in to hear … Continue reading Why Teens Need Unique Privacy Protections →

When speaking about the importance of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council’s (DSSRC) recently published guidelines, President of the Direct Selling Association Joe Mariano said, “It’s time not just for evolution, but revolution.” In this episode, Joe Mariano speaks with Tom Cohn, Interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of New Avon, Brian Muir, Vice President and Head of … Continue reading Time for Revolution in the Direct Selling Industry →

n. Joe Rohrlich, Chief Revenue Officer at Bazaarvoice, breaks down the power of reviews in this week’s podcast. From explaining the digital landscape that incites a sense of urgency for businesses to have ratings to the lasting negative impact fake reviews can have on a companies revenue and reputation, Rohrlich provides insight that you won’t … Continue reading The Confidence and Perception Behind Online Reviews →

How close are we from entering into a world where cash is no longer accepted? Do we truly understand the benefits and implications of completely going cashless and relying solely on financial transactions that are intimately connected with our data? Dr. Shelle Santana, Associate Professor at the Harvard University Business School, answers these questions and … Continue reading A Cashless Future →

After years of debate, discussion, and revisions, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) — a law that gives consumers a wide range of rights and creates a series of obligations for businesses — finally began enforcement on July 1st. Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Deputy Director of BBB National Programs’ Privacy Initiatives, joined Julian Flamant, Associate at Hogan … Continue reading CCPA Enforcement Begins: What We’re Learning →

COVID-19 has left millions of Americans unemployed and seeking new solutions to help them navigate the tough road ahead. Some have turned to the direct selling industry, chasing claims of financial freedom. Peter Marinello, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) Vice President, and Howard J. Smith, one of the DSSRC’s attorneys, help us explore the unique world … Continue reading Direct Selling in the Age of a Pandemic →

Philip Garrity, Editor of The Freelancer, stops by to explain the complexity of the California AB5 law. It said to protect gig workers. However, the very people it’s meant to guard say, “No, thanks!” Is the help required to keep the gig economy and its workers safe? Hear what Philip has to say. 

The side hustle has evolved into the full-blown, full-time gig economy. How, where, and when they work is all in the gig worker’s hands. However, the state of California believes help is required in ensuring this remains the case. Philip Garrity, Editor of The Freelancer, stops by to explain. Get a sneak peek of the … Continue reading Preview: Does the Gig Economy Require Regulation? →

Look back six months, and none of us would have guessed we’d have to manage a pandemic. One thing we can learn from this is that being prepared for any surprise is imperative. Bob Mellinger of Attainium Corp shares insights on how to plan for the unexpected. Don’t miss his timely advice.

Businesses have learned over the last couple of months to expect the unexpected. So, how do you plan for the unknown? Attainium Corp’s CEO, Bob Mellinger, shares all that is involved in planning well. Preview a clip from the up and coming May 27th episode. 

Conversations have sparked around data regulation and privacy in direct correlation to how it’s being used to provide insights about the impact of COVID-19. Location data is a big focus. Recently, the Senate conducted an unprecedented ‘paper hearing’ of which the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) weighed in. Katelyn Ringrose, Policy Fellow of FPF, discusses all the … Continue reading Privacy in the Face of COVID-19 →

Political advertising and trust? They should go hand and hand. Now, to address this elephant in the room, BBB National Programs’ Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP) launched the new Political Advertising program. We can all breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the BBB National Programs’ DAAP will be monitoring the transparency of political advertising … Continue reading American Election Law Equals Transparency →

In a world where distance is encouraged, is AI the answer to help move hiring forward? It seems like that question has already been answered. Major corporations like Hilton, AT&T, and Capital One have been building their HR with the assistance of AI technology. One small glance to the left, and it could mean the … Continue reading Can AI Help Keep Companies Hiring? →

There is no slowing down in data breaches. That is clear. Businesses have a responsibility to stay informed on the latest trends and news regarding data security. Eva Velasquez, CEO of The Identity Theft Resource Center gives us a birds-eye view of current happenings and what to expect in this new landscape of digital warfare.

Remember the classic cartoon, Tom and Jerry? Consider digital advertisers as Tom and consumers like Jerry. Every time digital marketers think they’ve found the perfect plan to sell consumers on their every desire, Jerry slams the door right on Tom. How? With adblocking! Will this game of cat and mouse end? Well, Neal Thurman, Director … Continue reading The Ad Blocker →

Hidden fees aren’t just a consumer issue – it’s a problem for businesses as well. The inability to play fair or advertise honestly eventually impacts the reputation of a company, and many times, industries as a whole. Anna Laitin, Director of Financial Policy at Consumer Reports, gives us an inside look at how they’re tackling … Continue reading Hidden Fees Brought to Light →

We’ve sliced and diced the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) into a four-course meal fit for any data king or queen. As a belated Valentine’s Day gift from the >Better Series to our loyal listeners, James, our host, serves up the dessert round of our CCPA discussions where he offers some new updates alongside a … Continue reading Looking Back at CCPA →

As the automotive industry drives us forward into autonomy, how does this impact data collection and privacy? John Verdi, VP of Policy at Future of Privacy Forum talks about the past, present, and future of data privacy and regulation for connected cars on this week’s episode. Enjoy the ride!

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is here and it’s now! January 1st marked a dawn of a new day for companies doing businesses in California or with California residents. Does your business truly have a handle on what all this means? Christian Auty, Attorney with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP shares some great nuggets … Continue reading CCPA is here. What does it mean for businesses? →

To continue our #dataprivacyday conversations, Jon Brescia, VP of BBB NP Digital Advertising Accountability Program and Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Deputy Director of BBB NP Privacy Initiatives give us a full download of CCPA and how the rest of the country will follow suit. Don’t miss out!

Certain online platforms are required by COPPA law to screen users’ age. Is your platform one that should be? What are the specifics mandated by this law? Find out how this multi-faceted regulation affects your business as we explore this topic with Dona Fraser, VP, and Angela Tiffin, Senior Attorney at the BBB NP’s Children’s … Continue reading Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number. Or is it? →

We are on the brink of a whole new era of aviation. Our skies are bound to be buzzing with drones in the coming years. Matt Scassero, Director of UMD UAS Test Site, and Miriam McNabb, Editor in Chief of DroneLife.com spark up a great discussion on the future of the drone industry and its … Continue reading Drones: Safety and Privacy →

Pretty soon we’ll be flyin’ high with drones in our skies. This exploding technology is the fastest-growing industry of new aircraft in the history of aviation. What does this mean for all of us down below? Find out on this fascinating episode as we talk about the future of drones with Sharon Rossmark, CEO of … Continue reading Regulation of the Skies →

Happy New Year! New beginnings bring new trends. In this episode, we weigh in on what to expect for 2020 in business and our marketplace. We cover the gamut from self-driving cars to how the CCPA law will continue to change the landscape of data collection. Join us for a quick stroll through what to … Continue reading 2020 Industry Trend Predictions →