FTC Keeps Pressure on Data Privacy Issues with Thursday Event (Ad Age)
If the last two weeks are any indication, data analytics and related privacy issues will take center stage at the Federal Trade Commission this year. On Thursday the agency will make it second move of 2016 that’s focused on the use of data and privacy.
Digital’s big challenge in 2016: Accountability (MediaLife)
A number of analysts have forecast 2016 will be the year digital ad spending surpasses TV to become No. 1. But accountability remains a problem for the internet. While many advertisers are moving their dollars online, there are serious concerns dogging the medium, including worries about ad fraud, ad blocking and viewability.
Survey: Most Subs Would Drop ESPN to Save $8 (Broadcasting & Cable)
Analyst Rich Greenfield, a frequent skeptic about ESPN’s future in a cord-cutting world, commissioned a study that found that 56% of cable subscribers would drop the sports network and ESPN2 to save $8 a month. The survey found that 60% of female respondents said they would drop ESPN channels and 49% of males would drop them.
Why Media Titans Would Be Wise Not to Overlook Netflix (NY Times- Commentary)
Although Netflix’s strategy is not without a fair amount of risk, it just keeps working – and the company’s prospects are steadily brightening.
Sen. Franken Questions Google About Student Data Privacy (Recode)
Sen. Al Franken has asked Google to explain what it does with the personal, private data of students who use its Google Apps for Education products and Chromebooks. Franken wrote Wednesday to express concern that Google may be collecting students’ personal data for non-educational purposes without parents’ knowledge or consent.
Can Massachusetts Kill DraftKings? (The Daily Beast)
DraftKings and the daily fantasy-sports industry players are fighting for their lives. Real protection for the players is bound to hit them hard. Representatives from DraftKings and the Fantasy Sports Trade Assn attended a public hearing in Boston to debate proposed regulations aimed at ending “unfair and deceptive acts and practices.”
CBS To Unveil New Tech For Super Bowl 50 (TV News Check)
A replay system will give viewers a 360-degree perspective and higher resolution than previously ever seen for the game. Thirty-six cameras strung around the upper deck of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., can freeze the moment and revolve around the play before continuing to show the scene.
Reuters TV Giving Content Away To Others (Nieman Lab)
In a little less than a year, Reuters has completely changed the strategy around its news video product, Reuters TV. It’s gone from charging for its iOS app to not just giving its content away for free across many platforms, but also letting other publishers use that content on their own sites and in their own apps.
DIGITAL DIVIDENDS (World Bank)
Digital technologies have spread rapidly in much of the world. Digital dividends (the broader development benefits from using these technologies) have lagged behind. In many instances, digital technologies have boosted growth, expanded opportunities, and improved service delivery. Yet their aggregate impact has fallen short.
SENATE FLOOR FIGHT ON INTERNET TAX BAN EXPECTED SOON (The Hill)
Supporters of a long-term ban on state and local taxes of Internet access are confident they will have the votes in a soon-expected floor fight. A customs bill that includes the indefinite ban on Internet access taxes is expected to move soon, according to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD).
THREE THINGS ECONOMISTS WISH THE FCC KNEW ABOUT BROADBAND MARKETS (Tech Policy Daily- Commentary)
A funny thing happens when economists get together: They discuss the real impacts of public policy. Wouldn’t it be nice if the FCC participated in these discussions? In particular, wouldn’t it be nice if the FCC knew that technology – based competition drives broadband progress and adoption more than regulation-driven competition does?
McCaul: Encryption Keeps Me Up At Night (Inside Sources)
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mike McCaul said of all the national security threats facing the U.S., encryption and the threat of criminals and terrorists “going dark” online is the one that keeps him up at night. “It’s this dark, communication space in which the terrorists can communicate freely without our ability to detect it.”
EU Bosses reading your emails are not breaching your privacy (FT)
Workers of Europe beware: your employer may have the right to read those personal emails and instant messages you send from the office. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a company in Romania did not breach the privacy rights of an employee when it monitored his Yahoo Messenger account.