Online Ad Industry Exec Warns of Dangers from “Targetocracy”/Urges IAB to Take Privacy Issue Seriously

We’re glad other online industry leaders see that addressing consumer privacy issues is required–instead of the denials coming from the IAB online ad lobbying group.  Doug Weaver, CEO for the UpStream Group writes in response to the IAB’s op-ed in USA Today, for example that:

“I think a sustainable privacy strategy begins with acknowledgment of the problem that exists.   Facts is facts: the “Targetocracy” in our business is big, wildly overcapitalized and a little bit out of control.  What I think consumers want to hear from Randy and the IAB is “we take the issues raised by the Journal very seriously.  The issues and the technology are quite complicated, but we remain committed to rooting out the bad guys and maintaining an environment that’s rich, free and privacy focused.”

As one of the IAB’s earliest board members and one who’s contributed a great deal of time and effort toward its mission over the years, I believe it’s time for the group to act less like the Chamber of Commerce and more like the Internal Affairs Department.  There are both rogues and careless polluters in our industry and their actions poison the environment for everyone.   Not everyone wants regulation, but the consumer wants to know someone’s in charge.  Who’s that going to be?