A federal judge has temporarily blocked provisions of a Texas law that required users to verify their age and banned social media advertising targeted at teens. The judge had already blocked portions of the law limiting the content that teens could view. All provisions were deemed likely violations of free speech.
Retail media is the number one marketing channel for consumer goods brand, with 92% ranking it as their most important strategy according to a survey from Skai. Questions are raised, however, about ROI and incrementality. A full funnel approach to retail media is winning favor with 61% of leaders emphasizing its consistent messaging and 59% saying it helps to influence consumers throughout the customer journey. Only 25% claim full-funnel maturity, leaving room for growth.
Meanwhile, a Senate Committee has passed a bill which requires social media companies to estimate users’ ages and use their findings to block accounts for children under 13 and not use algorithms to recommend content for users under 17. Prospects in the full Senate and House are uncertain but the bill does have bipartisan support. The bill faces similar Constitution obstacles as the Texas law, but, then again, the Constitution ain’t what it used to be.
Preliminary findings by the European Commission state that Apple and Google are in violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Among the findings, Google Search is accused of prioritizing Google’s own products and services in results; Apple is instructed to improve interoperability between iOS and third-party devices. The companies now have an opportunity to respond.