The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the US’s Better Business Bureau is now monitoring “child-directed” ads to ensure they comply with recent guidelines, including for in-app and in-game ads. While it hopes for voluntary compliance, CARU is prepared to refer companies that violate to federal agencies or state attorneys’ general.
An Ipsos survey of more than 1,000 Americans found 70% believe protecting data is getting harder, while just over a third believe companies do well providing data security. At the same time, most surveyed said they took basic precautions – 84% reported they updated passwords, but very few took all six steps that are recommended.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) plans to investigate whether Meta’s Quest 2 headset and VR services prioritize the “best interest” of children based on principles of the UK’s Age-Appropriate Design Code.
It’s tough to get brand safety right, but the industry keeps trying. IPG Mediabrands announced a new set of tools to find and block inappropriate ad placements, while IAS expanded its suitability measurements to include standards from the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). Meanwhile, DoubleVerify admitted a mistake made brand safety on X/Twitter look worse than it really was in October 2023 and March 2024.