Privacy Watchdog Ensures Indeed and Glassdoor Adhere to Digital Advertising Privacy Best Practices

McLean, VA – February 6, 2024 - BBB National Programs’ Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP) has brought job search platform Indeed Inc. and employer-review platform Glassdoor LLC, which both operate under Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd., into compliance with the Digital Advertising Alliance’s (DAA) Self-Regulatory Principles for online interest-based advertising (IBA).

DAAP's investigation into Indeed’s website, which was the result of a consumer complaint, revealed noncompliance with the DAA Principles' Transparency Principle for first-party publishers like Indeed and Glassdoor who allow third parties to collect user browsing behavior for IBA purposes. Though the consumer complaint was related to Indeed, given that Indeed shares infrastructure with Glassdoor, DAAP conducted its investigation on both platforms. 

Identified issues included links in the footer related to privacy and user control of data not linking users directly to information relevant to the company’s DAA or IBA-related obligations, descriptions of third-party IBA practices scattered throughout the policies instead of one cohesive place, and no statement of adherence to the DAA Principles. In the company’s mobile apps, DAAP discovered that enhanced notice (a direct link to a clear disclosure of IBA practices) was also not present in the times or places prescribed in the Transparency Principle.

Inquiry Response 

In response to DAAP’s inquiry, Indeed and Glassdoor conducted comprehensive reviews for compliance with the DAA Principles, identifying areas for strengthening. 

The companies collaborated with DAAP on the following: 

Enhanced Notice for Website Data Collection

• Updated website footer links: Indeed’s "Privacy Center" now reads “Privacy Center and Ad Choices,” and Glassdoor’s "Privacy & Cookies" is now “Privacy & Ad Choices”
• Added an "Ad Choices" tab to the HR Tech Privacy Center landing page, directing users to a consolidated IBA-specific disclosure

Cross-App Data Collection Compliance 

• Authorized third-party collection in their mobile apps
• Added an "Ad Choices" website header tab on the HR Tech Privacy Center landing page to their privacy policies, ensuring easy access to the IBA disclosure from app store pages within two clicks
• Enabled users to view the Ad Choices page within the application through privacy settings

In their respective statements, the companies provided:

• Indeed: We are committed to the success of job seekers and employers and strive to be transparent about our privacy policies and practices. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in DAA’s Accountability Programs and their commitment in helping us comply with their Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavior Advertising.
• Glassdoor: Glassdoor is committed to the success of our users and strives to be transparent about our privacy practices with both job seekers and employers. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in DAA’s Accountability Programs and their commitment in helping us comply with their Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising.

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DAAP decisions, visit the DAAP Decisions and Guidance webpage.