Ad Industry Slams FCC's 'Counterproductive' Privacy Proposal

The Federal Communications Commission's revised proposal for privacy rules is "counterproductive" and would hinder broadband providers' ability "to succeed in the developing marketplace" of online advertising, six major ad organizations say in comments to regulators.

The new proposal, unveiled last week by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, would require broadband providers to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before drawing on their Web browsing and app usage history for ad targeting.

"This proposal would upend the established and thriving Internet economy, which relies on the support of data-driven advertising," the American Association of Advertising Agencies, American Advertising Federation, Association of National Advertisers, Direct Marketing Association, Interactive Advertising Bureau, and Network Advertising Initiative say in comments filed Monday with the FCC.

"There is no record of consumer harm to justify treating web viewing and application use history as sensitive or for it to be subject to opt-in consent," the groups add.

The FCC's privacy rules would apply to Internet service providers like Time Warner and Comcast, but not to search engines, social networking services or other providers of so-called "edge" services.

Wheeler's proposal differs significantly from the ad industry's privacy code, which generally calls for online companies to allow consumers to opt out of receiving targeted ads based on Web-surfing data. The ad industry requires companies to seek opt-in consent from consumers before drawing on "sensitive" data, but defines that concept relatively narrowly; the industry's definition includes financial account information, geolocation data and certain types of healthcare information.

The ad groups also say the FCC should give the public a "meaningful opportunity" to weigh in on the new proposal before moving forward.

"The Commission has not released the text of the new approach for public review and comment," the groups argue. "This process is insufficient in light of the significant impact and unprecedented nature of the proposed approach to regulating online data."

The FCC's prior proposed privacy rules also would have limited broadband providers' ability to engage in online behavioral advertising. That prior proposal would have required broadband providers to obtain users' opt-in consent before using data about their Web activity for ad targeting.  

2 comments about "Ad Industry Slams FCC's 'Counterproductive' Privacy Proposal".
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  1. Abdulwaheed khan from bitly, October 12, 2016 at 3:14 a.m.

    Recomendation for ' there is no recordof consumer..................up to so called edge services.
    may please be removed and rest is for approval.

  2. Bo Sacks from Precision Media Group, October 12, 2016 at 4:07 p.m.

    I am going to try to stay calm as I respond to the ANA.  What is at stake here is everyone's privacy, which the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) obviously doesn’t give a damn about. Truth is, they never did. Advertising in the 21st century is increasingly about intense intrusion, molecular tracking, serious stalking and just plain greed. Pretty much robber barons cloaked as digital deacons. 


    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler's new proposal requires the broadband providers to obtain users' opt-in consent before using their "sensitive" information for ad targeting.


    Obviously I can’t speak for everyone, but I will say that paraphrasing what George Washington said works for me – King George has no more right to put his hand into my pocket than I have to put mine in his. The ANA insists on being pickpockets. In harsher terms I call it thievery. My information is, well, it’s mine. I can give it all up or give some of it up, but only if I’m asked. Anything else is intrusive theft.  I want the FCC to prevail and the ANA to be put back in their cage.

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