BBB National Programs Blog

Independent industry self-regulation, when developed and implemented properly, is a powerful tool for enhancing consumer trust in business and protecting consumers. And as we emerge from the reduced trust in government wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for independent industry self-regulation to help solve vexing business problems. In-house counsel can play an important leadership role in those efforts.

Businesses face many common pitfalls as they prepare to handle consumer privacy requests. They may be referred to as “data rights,” “data subject rights” (DSRs), or “data subject access rights” (DSARs). No matter what they are called, there are consistent themes in the best practices and pitfalls inherent in these essential elements of any privacy program.

Over the years, we have learned that success in mediation comes as much from utilizing emotional intelligence as it does from knowing the nuts and bolts – and the legalities – of the mediation process. This blog outlines three strategies for making the most of a mediated settlement.

At BBB AUTO LINE we help consumers and manufacturers resolve their automotive warranty disputes before they go to court. In fact, more than 60% of all cases filed with AUTO LINE are resolved through mediation, which involves one of our trained specialists facilitating settlement discussions between the consumer and manufacturer.

Children can access on a variety of platforms and devices. Some of this content is organic and some is advertising. It can be difficult, or even impossible, for children to know the difference between the two. That’s why it’s essential to disclose to children – in language they can understand – when an influencer is advertising the featured product. If you have a role in influencer marketing to children, here are some key revisions to the CARU Guidelines that you should know.

Although advertising’s platforms, technology, and techniques have changed dramatically, the system of independent industry self-regulation has sustained, and thrived, proving itself as an adaptable model to evolving business environments. Today, that model of responsible businesses allowing themselves to be held publicly accountable by independent self-regulation is timelier than ever.

The 2000s was a decade of change as online advertising exploded and, as a harbinger of things to come, the online environment became fertile ground for innovative ways to both communicate with consumers or, for the unscrupulous, take advantage of unwary consumers. The low barriers to entry allowed disrupters to enter the digital space and forced traditional marketers to compete in this space or be left behind.

The CARU Advertising Guidelines are widely recognized industry standards that help ensure advertising directed to children is fair and appropriate for its intended audience across any form of child-directed media. The CARU team outlines some key revisions to the Guidelines to which mobile developers should pay heed.

Cisco is an example of how a global company must navigate a variety of legal privacy regimes, while also being dedicated to leading the way on data privacy to maintain and further enhance a trusted relationship with its customers. To thread this needle, Cisco has chosen to rely on a third-party privacy certification offered by our team at BBB National Programs.

If your vehicle is under warranty, lemon laws require your vehicle manufacturer to repair your vehicle. The federal lemon law, known as the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act (“Mag-Moss”), and state lemon laws are in place to protect consumers from getting stuck with “lemons.” It is important to understand the difference between state and federal lemon laws as well as how you and your vehicle are covered under each.