Digital Marketing

Microsoft likes to suggest its concerned about consumer privacy.  Yet because they are in the digital marketing business worldwide, they are engaged in the full range of data collection and targeting practices which are problematic to both privacy and consumer protection.  Note how they are tapping into powerful offline databases, using Windows ID log-in information, and targeting cross-platform.  Microsoft will need to do a much better job on privacy.

The integration of data on users and their networks along with advances in digital ad creation now permits many more variations of a interactive ad that's based on the unique behaviors of an individual.  It's one of the key issues involved wth the fight to protect online privacy.   Here's an excerpt from today's on Google's Neal Mohan (from Campaign Asia):

Today, the leading consumer and privacy groups from both the U.S.

The complaint to the FTC is attached.

Complaint to the FTC

Press release is attached

On July 27, 2010, the Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Consumer Online Privacy. Apple, Google, AT&T and Facebook officials will testify.  Here are some questions we hope the Committee will ask. 

From the Consumer Federation of America

Myth #1. Free content on the Internet will disappear if advertisers can only engage in online behavioral tracking and targeting with affirmative consumer consent (opt-in).

First in a series.

With uncharacteristic brevity for a Washington official, FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps offered a one-word summation of the recent switchover from analog to digital television: “Whew!”