What were "brand safety" protections for online content @AFergusonFTC fears? "adult & explicit sexual content, crime & harmful acts to individuals, hate speech & acts of aggression, obscenity & profanity, illegal drugs, terrorism, misinformation (verifiably false content)." bit.ly/486bHOx
Posts by Center for Digital Democracy
Antitrust, data & consumer protection regulators should focus on Amazon's further expansion on mobile devices, esp in the Gen AI commercial surveillance marketing 3.0 era.
www.aboutamazon.com/news/company...
Shameful action weakening online safeguards for kids as well as broader public. Big data marketing agencies on bended knee to FTC. www.mediapost.com/publications...
On both bended & branded knee. Shape on the ad giants, which may include WPP & Publicis, for caving in to the FTC. Their clients will ultimately pay.
www.wsj.com/business/med... via @WSJ
OpenAI buying a finance app part of this commercial surveillance marketing 3.0 story--Gen AI for shopping, payments, ads. Agentic monetization at core of Gen AI apparatus. www.engadget.com/ai/openai-ac...
GenAI is the foundation for the Commercial Surveillance 3.0 era. Ads, marketing, sales is what AI is being shaped to deliver--with less privacy, autonomy, & greater control by #BigTech.
OpenAI has quietly launched its ads manager as it races to build out its ads business bit.ly/3QEc1Ot
Commercial surveillance 3.0 via #GenAI for ads & marketing will be the key business model, as it has been with online from start. Young people & everyone else will be targets for automated & intelligent monetization. Time for action. openai.com/index/introd...
www.axios.com/2026/04/09/o...
Netflix & McDonald's marketing combo cashes in on your calories, with a data gathering side: "Every Saja Boys Breakfast Meal and HUNTR/X Meal comes with a collectible card pack..
Fans can scan the QR code on each Derpy access card and enter the unique code on the McDonald’s App..."
bit.ly/4e4IpDB
Trump FTC released its four-year strategic plan. By failing to call for regulation of GenAI, agency not protecting U.S. privacy, consumers & their financial security. www.ftc.gov/system/files...
Public health advocates, regulators, need to examine use of tobacco in films & other entertainment, inc. any tobacco biz links for promotion, influence.
Cigarettes Get a Sequel: Hollywood’s ‘Cool’ Bad Habit Is Back open.substack.com/pub/theankle...
Today's #SesameStreet is brought to us by letter D--for data collection. Public requires data & parent-targeted ad free viewing for kids series. tubitv.com/static/privacy; corporate.tubitv.com/press/sesame...
@SesameWorkshop needs to explain its deal with #Tubi, inc. whether & what parental & kids data gathered, inc. used for ads, marketing. At a time of addictive social media, public media should not contribute to commercial surveillance, inc via streaming TV. corporate.tubitv.com/press/sesame...
Ellison's TikTok just unveiled tools used by his Paramount & soon to be Warner Bros. to leverage platform promotion for films, media content. Illustrates why TikTok role part of antitrust, consolidation, privacy review.
newsroom.tiktok.com/newfronts-26...
bit.ly/3NMoy1i
Decision against Elon Musk's X claim of antitrust violation by advertisers working together to set modest safeguards to support what's called brand safety. Useful to see in light of successful social media addiction cases. bit.ly/4lWNXSL
It's sad news that the leading public service media co would choose someone from a company that has engaged in far-reaching commercial surveillance data marketing; targets minors with ads; harnesses influencers; cozies up to gov't, etc. I do not know Mr. Brittin. But wrong background & message.
Paramount/Skydance takeover of WBD will not lead to diverse & creative IP production, more employment & theatrical releases. It delivers greater media control to a handful of politically aligned investors, focused on global release payoffs via streaming, sports, gaming.
EU should regulate streaming video networks, platforms & TV set co's on Smart TV--not just Google, Amazon, etc. Inside digital TVs are multiple sets of control, with data gathering, surveillance, manipulation (inc via AI). Background: bit.ly/47NU45U
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
bit.ly/4v1N0wG
At today's @SenAdamSchiff Hollywood hearing, re Ellison's Paramount+Warner's (add TikTok US) takeover. Speak out about the chain of Big $, policy giveways & deals, including connection to further global media consolidation.
Regulators should dig into Tegna & Nexstar market power +data consolidation, inc. for ads, via use of new digital capabilities. Privacy issues too. For ex: rbr.com/dynamic-ad-i...; www.oxagile.com/article/how-...
#WarnerMount: litigation: "alleges that a $10 billion payment by Oracle and its co-investors to the Trump administration in the TikTok deal is a “quid pro quo” for Trump’s personal assurance that the administration would support and facilitate Paramount’s acquisition of WBD." bit.ly/4tdenCj
If the #FTC really wants to protect the privacy of children, it mus enact age "assurance" safeguards--not just age verification. @EPICprivacy @fairplayforkids @DigitalDemoc explain to FTC & public. democraticmedia.org/publishings/...
Commercial surveillance marketing 3.0 is shaping global GenAI operations. Look at the job openings @ #OpenAI & it's just like Facebook/Meta was a decade ago. Time to intervene is now. Ex: openai.com/careers/adve...
YouTube requires video (& privacy) regulation--it is a production+advertising+distribution conglomerate. Not a passive publisher.
YouTube Lays Claim to Another Crown: The World’s Largest Media Company www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig... via @thr
Congrats to @SenMarkey for decades long leadership to protect Americans online & off--and now again kids+teens. democraticmedia.org/publishings/...
FTC consumer protection head says "Surveillance pricing was a term made up by the last admin. And so I'm not sure I accept that premise either." Shows they aren't in touch with the current market developments--which is unleashing greater surveillance pricing for consumers. bit.ly/3MO7asO
The Ellison TikTok+Paramount/CBS, & soon + WBD combo requires scrutiny of all its digital operations & foreign ownership partners, investments. Lots of global issues here too.
Addressing decades of media consolidation & non-regulation--digital, data, cable TV & now Gen AI--requires sustained action. Ellison Paramount/ WBD takeover must be opposed. See too Google deal with Meta. Undoing partnerships must be on agenda too. bit.ly/4tZdI8o
Chilling statement from leading US media regulator: Via Politico: "FCC Chair Brendan Carr wants broadcasters to air “patriotic, pro-America content” to support the White House’s plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary."
As Netflix continues to try to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, we are joining the Block the Merger coalition — to oppose further consolidation in the media industry.
Meta/social media addiction: Answer by Meta AI "Adolescents (13-17 years old) are a significant market for Meta, given their high social media usage and influence on family spending. Meta's platforms have a large user base in this age group, making them a key demographic for advertisers."