Saturday, March 10
Consumer Choice: Control Your Data Online
Online behavioral advertising uses your web surfing history to display online ads that are most likely to interest you. Advertising pays for a lot of great online content we’ve come to depend on, but advertisers want to make sure that they are reaching the right people with their messages. Information is collected as you search the web and move across various websites but, thanks to a new industry-created program, you have some a lot more control over who gets your information.
Exercise your choice – There is animportant new symbol you need to get to know: the AdChoice icon.
- When you see an advertisement that carries the above icon or AdChoices message, you can click on the icon or message to learn more about the ad, and how to opt-out from future collection and use of your web browsing data for interest-based advertising.
- You can visit the AboutAds consumer choice page to see a list of businesses that collect and use data for OBA purposes and you can opt out of some or all on the list.
- You can set preferences on some web browsers that enable you to control the delivery of cookies to your computer.
File a Complaint– If you believe a business is following your online browsing history and serving you ads based on that information without giving you notice and choice through the icon or the AdChoices message, we encourage you to fill out our easy-to-use online report form. The more information you can give us, the better able we will be to act on your report. If you can capture screen shots related to your report, you can send them to obacompliance@council.bbb.org as attachments to your report or by separate email.
Learn More About the Participants – Hundreds of websites and other businesses support this new initiative – about 90 percent of the companies that deliver ads to you. These are companies that have committed to honest online advertising and respect for your privacy, and they deserve your business. Look for the icon and make your choice.
