In the inaugural episode of The Accountability Studio, moderator Mary Engle, Executive Vice President, Policy poses a fundamental question to the leadership of BBB National Programs: Does independent, industry self-regulation really work? Program leaders responded with an empathic ‘yes,’ but also laid out the numerous factors that can contribute to the success or failure of … Continue reading With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility →

In the Ad Watchers podcast series, National Advertising Division (NAD) attorneys Hal Hodes and La Toya Sutton break down common advertising practices to reveal the complexity of keeping claims truthful and accurate. In this first episode, the hosts talk about the guiding principle behind all NAD decisions: consumer understanding. Hal and La Toya discuss what … Continue reading So, Who’s Making These Advertising Rules? →

Many privacy professionals see the depletion of third-party cookies, paired with several technological, political, and cultural factors, as the perfect storm for privacy and adtech – one that will bring about fundamental changes to the advertising industry and the broader digital marketplace. In this episode, Colin O’Malley, Founder of the Lucid Privacy Group, Christy Harris, … Continue reading The Perfect Storm for Privacy and Adtech: How the End of the Cookie Era Will Reshape the Digital...

As the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the digital environment, online engagement has increased across user demographics. In this episode, authors of the BBB National Program’s paper Risky Business: The Current State of Teen Privacy in the Android App Marketplace join us to provide insight into the importance of protecting teenage users. Listen in to hear … Continue reading Why Teens Need Unique Privacy Protections →

When speaking about the importance of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council’s (DSSRC) recently published guidelines, President of the Direct Selling Association Joe Mariano said, “It’s time not just for evolution, but revolution.” In this episode, Joe Mariano speaks with Tom Cohn, Interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of New Avon, Brian Muir, Vice President and Head of … Continue reading Time for Revolution in the Direct Selling Industry →

n. Joe Rohrlich, Chief Revenue Officer at Bazaarvoice, breaks down the power of reviews in this week’s podcast. From explaining the digital landscape that incites a sense of urgency for businesses to have ratings to the lasting negative impact fake reviews can have on a companies revenue and reputation, Rohrlich provides insight that you won’t … Continue reading The Confidence and Perception Behind Online Reviews →

How close are we from entering into a world where cash is no longer accepted? Do we truly understand the benefits and implications of completely going cashless and relying solely on financial transactions that are intimately connected with our data? Dr. Shelle Santana, Associate Professor at the Harvard University Business School, answers these questions and … Continue reading A Cashless Future →

After years of debate, discussion, and revisions, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) — a law that gives consumers a wide range of rights and creates a series of obligations for businesses — finally began enforcement on July 1st. Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Deputy Director of BBB National Programs’ Privacy Initiatives, joined Julian Flamant, Associate at Hogan … Continue reading CCPA Enforcement Begins: What We’re Learning →

COVID-19 has left millions of Americans unemployed and seeking new solutions to help them navigate the tough road ahead. Some have turned to the direct selling industry, chasing claims of financial freedom. Peter Marinello, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) Vice President, and Howard J. Smith, one of the DSSRC’s attorneys, help us explore the unique world … Continue reading Direct Selling in the Age of a Pandemic →

Philip Garrity, Editor of The Freelancer, stops by to explain the complexity of the California AB5 law. It said to protect gig workers. However, the very people it’s meant to guard say, “No, thanks!” Is the help required to keep the gig economy and its workers safe? Hear what Philip has to say. 

The side hustle has evolved into the full-blown, full-time gig economy. How, where, and when they work is all in the gig worker’s hands. However, the state of California believes help is required in ensuring this remains the case. Philip Garrity, Editor of The Freelancer, stops by to explain. Get a sneak peek of the … Continue reading Preview: Does the Gig Economy Require Regulation? →

Look back six months, and none of us would have guessed we’d have to manage a pandemic. One thing we can learn from this is that being prepared for any surprise is imperative. Bob Mellinger of Attainium Corp shares insights on how to plan for the unexpected. Don’t miss his timely advice.

Businesses have learned over the last couple of months to expect the unexpected. So, how do you plan for the unknown? Attainium Corp’s CEO, Bob Mellinger, shares all that is involved in planning well. Preview a clip from the up and coming May 27th episode. 

Conversations have sparked around data regulation and privacy in direct correlation to how it’s being used to provide insights about the impact of COVID-19. Location data is a big focus. Recently, the Senate conducted an unprecedented ‘paper hearing’ of which the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) weighed in. Katelyn Ringrose, Policy Fellow of FPF, discusses all the … Continue reading Privacy in the Face of COVID-19 →

Political advertising and trust? They should go hand and hand. Now, to address this elephant in the room, BBB National Programs’ Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP) launched the new Political Advertising program. We can all breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the BBB National Programs’ DAAP will be monitoring the transparency of political advertising … Continue reading American Election Law Equals Transparency →

In a world where distance is encouraged, is AI the answer to help move hiring forward? It seems like that question has already been answered. Major corporations like Hilton, AT&T, and Capital One have been building their HR with the assistance of AI technology. One small glance to the left, and it could mean the … Continue reading Can AI Help Keep Companies Hiring? →

There is no slowing down in data breaches. That is clear. Businesses have a responsibility to stay informed on the latest trends and news regarding data security. Eva Velasquez, CEO of The Identity Theft Resource Center gives us a birds-eye view of current happenings and what to expect in this new landscape of digital warfare.

Consider digital advertisers such as Tom and consumers like Jerry. Every time digital marketers think they’ve found the perfect plan to sell consumers on their every desire, Jerry slams the door right on Tom. How? With adblocking! Will this game of cat and mouse end? Well, Neal Thurman, Director of Coalition for Better Ads, gives … Continue reading The Ad Blocker →

Hidden fees aren’t just a consumer issue – it’s a problem for businesses as well. The inability to play fair or advertise honestly eventually impacts the reputation of a company, and many times, industries as a whole. Anna Laitin, Director of Financial Policy at Consumer Reports, gives us an inside look at how they’re tackling … Continue reading Hidden Fees Brought to Light →

We’ve sliced and diced the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) into a four-course meal fit for any data king or queen. As a belated Valentine’s Day gift from the >Better Series to our loyal listeners, James, our host, serves up the dessert round of our CCPA discussions where he offers some new updates alongside a … Continue reading Looking Back at CCPA →

As the automotive industry drives us forward into autonomy, how does this impact data collection and privacy? John Verdi, VP of Policy at Future of Privacy Forum talks about the past, present, and future of data privacy and regulation for connected cars on this week’s episode. Enjoy the ride!

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is here and it’s now! January 1st marked a dawn of a new day for companies doing businesses in California or with California residents. Does your business truly have a handle on what all this means? Christian Auty, Attorney with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP shares some great nuggets … Continue reading CCPA is here. What does it mean for businesses? →

To continue our #dataprivacyday conversations, Jon Brescia, VP of BBB NP Digital Advertising Accountability Program and Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Deputy Director of BBB NP Privacy Initiatives give us a full download of CCPA and how the rest of the country will follow suit. Don’t miss out!

Certain online platforms are required by COPPA law to screen users’ age. Is your platform one that should be? What are the specifics mandated by this law? Find out how this multi-faceted regulation affects your business as we explore this topic with Dona Fraser, VP, and Angela Tiffin, Senior Attorney at the BBB NP’s Children’s … Continue reading Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number. Or is it? →

We are on the brink of a whole new era of aviation. Our skies are bound to be buzzing with drones in the coming years. Matt Scassero, Director of UMD UAS Test Site, and Miriam McNabb, Editor in Chief of DroneLife.com spark up a great discussion on the future of the drone industry and its … Continue reading Drones: Safety and Privacy →