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Monetization: The Privacy Risks and Rewards of In-App Purchases and IBA
Oct 9, 2023, 09:57 AM by BBB National ProgramsEvery day, teens download apps for free on the Google Play and Apple App Stores and, in doing so, participate in a hidden advertising ecosystem that collects data from them. In-app purchase options and behavioral advertising further complicate things. Though these monetization models have caused the mobile app economy to flourish, they sometimes come at the cost of user privacy.Full story -
Injunction Junction: NetChoice v. Bonta and Securing the Future of Teen Online Privacy and Safety
Oct 2, 2023, 12:13 PM by BBB National Programs Privacy Initiatives TeamWhile the AADC injunction is not the final word on the constitutionality of California’s approach to regulating online harms, the injunction—and the reasoning that underlies the district court’s decision—raises important questions and creates an entry point to establish a robust minimum bar of protections for teens.Full story -
Developing Principles and Protocols for Recruiting and Hiring with AI
Aug 25, 2023, 09:12 AM by Eric D. Reicin, President & CEO, BBB National ProgramsEmploying AI in the recruiting and hiring process voluntarily, under the auspices of independent industry self-regulation, is often far preferable to being forced to do so under a regime of top-down government regulation.Full story -
A Not-So-Sweet Sixteen? Teen Online Privacy and Safety Faces New Policy Dilemmas
Aug 17, 2023, 09:00 AM by BBB National Programs Privacy Initiatives TeamPop culture powerhouse Barbie teaches us that corporations can have a long-lasting impact on children and teens, and the FTC seems to agree, adopting an aggressive stance on children’s and teen privacy in the last few months. We break down what this means for companies in looking to engage a child or teen audience.Full story -
Spilling the Tea on AI Accountability: An Analysis of NTIA Stakeholder Comments
Aug 4, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs and Sander McComiskey, Intern, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe NTIA recently issued a request for comment to gather stakeholder feedback on AI accountability measures and policies to assist in the crafting of a report on AI accountability policy and the AI assurance regime. Nearly 200 organizations responded and we pulled a diverse, representative sample of the responses to summarize stakeholder feedback on this important question.Full story -
A Privacy Review a Day, Keeps the Regulators Away
Jul 21, 2023, 09:53 AM by Divya Sridhar, Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs and Sander McComiskey, Intern, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe FTC and HHS sent a warning letter to nearly 130 hospitals and health systems cautioning them about their data privacy and security practices. Notably, these are entities that comply with HIPAA. Aren’t companies in compliance with HIPAA already covering their consumer data privacy bases? Not completely.Full story -
Creating a Uniform Approach to AI Accountability
Jul 10, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe NTIA’s recent request for comment focuses on a lesser documented angle in the public discourse: the role of soft law mechanisms to supplement the enforcement objectives of federal agencies. These accountability mechanisms – including compliance certifications, audits, and third-party verification practices – can serve as a policy solution to further the goals of the White House’s national strategy on AI.Full story -
Beauty Product Claims & the NAD: Why Substantiation Matters
Jun 23, 2023, 09:00 AM by Jennifer Stansbury and Denise Herich, The Benchmarking CompanySubstantiating product claims is required by law and may help brands avoid an inquiry from the FTC or other regulatory bodies. The founders of The Benchmarking Company, a consumer research firm for the beauty and personal care industries, interviewed NAD attorney Jennifer Santos to uncover what every brand should know about NAD.Full story -
Fifty Shades of Consumer Health Data: How a Risk-Based Approach Provides More Clarity
Jun 14, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThis piece includes a list of routine examples of consumer health information, that, at face value may have one level of risk. But, depending on the context and the risk associated with the use of that data, and whether it is combined with other data sources and data elements or made available in the public domain, it could lend itself to differing levels of regulation and enforcement activity.Full story -
Fifty Shades of Consumer Health Data: Unclear Expectations for Digital Privacy
May 30, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsWhile momentum continues to build around what a regulated consumer health privacy landscape looks like, the environment remains shrouded in shades of gray. To date, a risk-based approach to consumer health data does not exist, but we believe a sliding scale for the risks carried by consumer health data should.Full story -
California Privacy Enforcement: Whose Job Is It Anyway?
May 18, 2023, 19:38 PM by Rebecca Knight, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, Counsel, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 went into effect bringing new privacy rights to California consumers and created the California Privacy Protection Agency. CCPA will continue to be enforced by the California Office of the Attorney General. Which begs the question: Whose enforcement is it anyway?Full story -
Unsubstantiated Claims May Lead to Civil Penalties
May 3, 2023, 09:00 AM by Laura Brett, Vice President, National Advertising Division, BBB National ProgramsThe U.S. economy is built on a fair and transparent product marketplace. It is the responsibility of companies to have adequate substantiation for health and safety claims and to hold their competitors to the same standard.Full story -
Data Privacy Advances, Despite Lack Of Federal Privacy Law
May 3, 2023, 00:00 AM by Eric D. Reicin, President & CEO, BBB National ProgramsAn appropriate federal privacy law would level the playing field for all companies and create much-needed uniformity in the digital marketplace to enable enhanced trust in the marketplace for businesses and consumers.Full story -
Government Action And Engagement Is Part Of Being A Nonprofit Leader
May 1, 2023, 09:00 AM by Eric D. Reicin, President & CEO, BBB National ProgramsIt can be challenging for us nonprofit leaders to delve into new areas of organizational growth and opportunity, such as determining what government actions are important to our organizations. The key question is: When and how should you engage with the government as a nonprofit leader?Full story -
Reflections on A New Consumer Privacy Health Standard in Washington
Apr 27, 2023, 14:17 PM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsGovernor Jay Inslee signed the My Health, My Data Act in the state of Washington, setting an important precedent about how to legislate consumer health data in the U.S. Here are some components of this legislation worth your attention.Full story -
Filling the Gaps in the Green Guides
Apr 20, 2023, 09:00 AM by Eric Unis, Senior Attorney, National Advertising Division, BBB National ProgramsWith increasing consumer interest in buying environmentally friendly products, this Earth Day is a good time to consider how the standards for “green” claims in advertising have developed, and, more importantly, where they might be heading.Full story -
New WA Consumer Health Law Drives Call to Action: Adopt Robust Standards in the Health B2C Marketplace
Apr 18, 2023, 10:57 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe breadth of the Washington state My Health My Data Act brings digital consumer health protections into focus -- from every angle possible -- and will create important overlaps among existing consumer privacy laws, health and biometrics privacy laws, and this new standard for consumer health data in Washington.Full story -
Now Is The Time For Independent Industry Self-Regulation
Apr 13, 2023, 09:00 AM by Eric D. Reicin, President & CEO, BBB National ProgramsRecent Sanofi SA and Novo Nordisk pricing actions were seen by some as an example of industry self-regulation, but it is a very narrow example. Now, more than ever, is the time for real independent industry self-regulation to take root and grow, meaning guidelines with teeth.Full story -
Federal Privacy Legislation Should Create a Gateway for Industry Self-Regulation
Apr 5, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsWhere ADPPA falls short and why self-regulation is fundamental to the broader data privacy ecosystem, not as a replacement but a good adjunct to support the FTC and other agencies that are subject to limited scope, resources, and capacity to regulate the privacy environment.Full story -
Key Takeaways: TikTok Testifies at House Energy & Commerce Committee Hearing
Mar 30, 2023, 09:00 AM by Divya Sridhar, Ph.D., Director, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National ProgramsThe U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee's TikTok data privacy hearing emphasized the need for a comprehensive data privacy law. The hearing included the vast array of topics that are all being considered by Congress regarding federal data privacy, tech accountability and content moderation, and national security. Check out our takeaways of the most pressing, interconnected issues discussed.Full story
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