IAB Backs Federal Privacy Bill, Seeks Ad Tech Accountability Rules
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) released a statement on the introduction of the SECURE Data Act (H.R. 8413) in the U.S. Congress. The IAB expressed encouragement for a federal privacy standard that could harmonize differing state laws on issues like data minimization and sensitive data definitions. The organization stated it will focus on ensuring the legislation includes clear due diligence standards and robust contracting requirements to extend privacy obligations throughout the digital advertising ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- The IAB supports a single national privacy standard to harmonize differing state laws on issues like data minimization and the definition of 'sensitive data'.
- State law fragmentation creates ongoing implementation and operational challenges for businesses, according to the IAB.
- The group is advocating for the legislation to include clear due diligence standards for vetting partners and robust third-party contracting requirements.
Why It Matters
The IAB's statement signals the ad tech industry is choosing the certainty of a single federal law over the complexity of the current state-by-state patchwork. This move acknowledges that a national standard would simplify compliance for publishers and platforms. By focusing on due diligence and contracting, the IAB is also pushing to codify accountability throughout the programmatic supply chain, which could place new verification burdens on all partners handling consumer data. Watch for specific language proposals from the IAB on third-party data processor liability as the bill is debated in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Read full article at iab.com