Venus Fashion Agrees to Update Privacy Practices to Comply with Digital Advertising Alliance’s Self-Regulatory Principles

McLean, VA – July 11, 2023 - BBB National Programs’ Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP) worked with women’s fashion retailer Venus Fashion, Inc. to bring its website into compliance with the Digital Advertising Alliance’s (DAA) Self-Regulatory Principles.

DAA’s Self-Regulatory Principles cover entities engaged in interest-based advertising (IBA) across websites or mobile apps. Any operator of a website (a first party) that allows unaffiliated entities (third parties) to collect visitors’ web browsing data for IBA must provide visitors with notice and enhanced notice as prescribed in the Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising (OBA Principles).

Based on a consumer complaint, DAAP opened an investigation into Venus’ alleged noncompliance with the Transparency Principle of the OBA Principles. Upon reviewing Venus' website, DAAP observed third-party data collection for IBA without proper enhanced notice and access to Venus’ IBA disclosure and opt-out choices.

In response to DAAP’s inquiry, Venus conducted a review of its compliance protocols and made significant changes to its privacy practices to bring the Venus website into compliance with the DAA Principles. Those changes include:

  • The addition of a prominent and easily accessible link titled "My Privacy and Ad Choices" to all webpages where third-party trackers are deployed (in this case, the website’s global footer) linking users to Venus’ IBA disclosure, and
  • A newly edited IBA disclosure titled "Third-Party Automated Collection and Interest-Based Advertising," which includes a comprehensive description of Venus' third-party IBA practices, a link to IBA opt-out tools, and a statement of adherence to the DAA Principles.

 

In its advertiser statement, Venus stated “VENUS Fashion, Inc. (“VENUS”) is proud to participate in the Digital Advertising Alliance’s self-regulatory DAA Accountability Program.  VENUS welcomed the opportunity to review its privacy policies and practices with the DAAP and is confident that, by voluntarily implementing the recommended changes, the company is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to consumer privacy and choice.”

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.

Latest Decisions

Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends Royal Oak Modify or Discontinue Certain Claims for its Super Size Briquets

New York, NY – November 30, 2023 – In a challenge brought by Kingsford Products Company, the National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Royal Oak modify or discontinue certain comparative claims for its Super Size Briquets.

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

National Advertising Division Finds Certain Xfinity Home Internet Claims Supported; Recommends Comcast Modify or Discontinue Others

New York, NY – November 30, 2023 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Comcast provided a reasonable basis for its Xfinity home internet claim but recommended that Comcast modify or discontinue certain other claims about Verizon’s 5G Home Internet.


 

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends Cariuma Disclose Material Connection Between Cariuma Sneakers and Publisher of Social Media Posts

New York, NY – November 29, 2023 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) inquired about social media posts for Cariuma sneakers, and recommended that Cariuma clearly and conspicuously disclose its material connection to the endorser and publisher of the posts.

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends Charter Modify or Discontinue Certain Comparative Claims for Spectrum Home Internet Service

New York, NY – November 28, 2023 – In a challenge brought by T-Mobile, the National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Charter modify or discontinue certain Spectrum home internet service claims including those that distinguish Spectrum from T-Mobile’s wireless home internet services.

Read the Decision Summary