Ethics Issue Alerts
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Text Marketing: Highly Regulated and Needs Permission
Ethics Issue Alerts April 23, 2024Consumers are likely to believe that the texts received are legitimate and from a trusted source. Unfortunately, consumers have been inundated with so-called unwanted “robocalls” and “robotexts” over many years.
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Ethical Practices Advance Growth — 2023 ANA Compliance Report Published
Ethics Issue Alerts January 24, 2024The ANA's latest report on ethics compliance reviews the types of consumer marketing ethical inquiries involving direct and digital advertising, including privacy, that were processed by our ethics team and Committees in 2023.
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Using Testimonials, Endorsements, and Consumer Reviews in Marketing
Ethics Issue Alerts January 5, 2024Self-regulation and ethical marketing are at the core of building consumer trust and loyalty. This ethics update series focuses on key consumer marketing issues to highlight the ethical standards of applicability and to assure best practices are communicated and followed.
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ANA Ethics Compliance Report, January — June 2023
Ethics Issue Alerts August 22, 2023The ANA recently released the latest edition of its Ethics Compliance Report, covering January through June of 2023.
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New Data Privacy Framework Launched for Global Marketers and Data Providers
Ethics Issue Alerts August 3, 2023Global marketers and data providers are celebrating with the announcement and launch of a new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) to replace the former Privacy Shield, which was invalidated by European courts in 2020. Small and mid-sized companies were significantly impacted by this decision since Privacy Shield was the most affordable and accessible option for companies to comply with the adequacy requirements for transferring data from the EU to the United States.
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Spring into Your Marketing Campaigns with Green Tips for Earth Day and Every Day
Ethics Issue Alerts April 6, 2023As we approach Earth Day, April 22 2023, it is a good time to act as businesses, organizations, and consumers to maximize our limited resources, reduce our carbon footprint, and build trust in our industry as one that respects the environment.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Marketing Ethics
Ethics Issue Alerts March 16, 2023With the advent of AI and synthetic media across the marketing ecosystem, ethics may not always be factored in and may instead become an afterthought. This can lead to risk for brands.
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Consumer Fraud — In Your Name or on Your Platform — Is at a Crisis Level: An Opportunity for Brands
Ethics Issue Alerts October 21, 2022The scope of fraud on unsuspecting consumers is on the rise with a loss of billions and billions of dollars nationwide. There is a real opportunity for companies to take a greater leadership role by educating consumers, training employees, and taking preventative steps to protect their brand and support fraud victims.
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To Be or Not to Be — Is it Truly Anonymized Data?
Ethics Issue Alerts August 31, 2022In recent years, consumer privacy has garnered a lot of attention and scrutiny from legislators and regulators. The latest alarm has been sounded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding business practices involving anonymized data.
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Fake Warranties and Marketing Offers Cloaked as Unpaid Invoices
Ethics Issue Alerts May 22, 2022ANA’s Consumer Affairs department has seen an increase in fake car warranty offers and marketing offers cloaked as unpaid invoices. In response, the group has created this update, providing guidance and resources on the subject.
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Consumers Seek Greater Control Over How Marketing Offers are Communicated
Ethics Issue Alerts March 17, 2022As we move toward a new normal, there are shifts in behaviors and trends in how and where we work and live and do business. Part of the consumers’ focus on data and privacy issues includes seeking greater control on how marketing offers are being communicated in promotional mail and online display ads.
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Privacy: It's About the Data!
Ethics Issue Alerts February 16, 2022This ethics update focuses on where data privacy intersects an evolving landscape of shifts in consumer expectations, technology providers’ practices, and regulatory focus. We spotlight the trends in the industry and tools and guidance for developing a data privacy plan.
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Marketing and Protecting Children
Ethics Issue Alerts January 11, 2022This ethics update focuses on the pitfalls to avoid when marketing to children as well as provides you with key tips for how to do so in an effective, respectful, and safe manner.
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Protecting Older Consumers: Role of Self-Regulation in Sweepstakes and Prize Promotions
Ethics Issue Alerts November 1, 2021Older consumers rule the marketing landscape in many ways. But as we market to them, areas of concern continue to arise. This ethics update focuses on best practices to employ in sweepstakes and prize promotions to protect the vulnerable — our older and/or mentally impaired Americans.
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Role of Self-Regulation in the Direct Mail Space
Ethics Issue Alerts August 23, 2021Building consumer trust and brand trust is vital! ANA offers key guidance and a robust toolkit to help meet the needs of consumers and manage your direct mail campaigns.
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Role of Self-Regulation in the Digital Ad Space
Ethics Issue Alerts July 1, 2021Technological advancements, big-tech privacy moves, regulatory and legislative changes continue to shape the digital advertising landscape. ANA, DAA, and PRAM offer committees, guidance, principles, and other resources to help your company stay abreast of these issues.
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Dark Patterns and Ethical Marketing Practices
Ethics Issue Alerts May 29, 2021Dark patterns are defined as web design tricks some companies use to intentionally confuse and take advantage of consumers — i.e., pop-ups with tiny X’s that make a window hard to close and subscriptions with hidden fees that a person cannot cancel without making a lengthy customer service call.
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