Behind the News
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Behind the News
Inside BADBOX 2.0: How a Global Malware Operation is Exploiting Ads and Devices
HUMAN’s Satori Threat Intelligence Team uncovered BADBOX 2.0, a massive escalation in cyber fraud infecting over a million devices worldwide—targeting everything from off-brand smart TVs to Android tablets. In this Q&A, HUMAN’s CISO, Gavin Reid, discusses how cybercriminals have leveled up their tactics, why advertisers should be concerned, and what can be done to fight […]
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Behind the News
What Trump’s DEI Ban Means for Black Media and the Ad Industry’s Future
The Trump administration has moved swiftly to dismantle DEI initiatives across the federal government. Could these Executive Orders impact DEI-designated ad spend on Black-owned media and throughout the ad tech ecosystem?
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AI
AI Search is Eating the Web—Can Publishers Stop It?
Google’s AI Overviews and rival AI search tools are keeping users on their platforms, decimating referral traffic for publishers. As lawsuits mount, is there a way forward for the open web?
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Behind the News
Regulating the Press? The FCC’s Targeted Investigations Raise Alarms
The FCC’s latest investigations into media companies, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, have raised alarms about press freedom. Targeting DEI programs at select organizations while ignoring others, the probes appear less about regulation and more about exerting political pressure. With NPR, PBS, CBS, and others under scrutiny, experts warn this could be a step toward weakening independent journalism—echoing tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
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Behind the News
DOGE’s Unfettered Access to PII Prompts Legal Challenges
DOGE reportedly pulled financial, employment, and tax data from multiple agencies without public disclosure—privileges no business or federal agency would be allowed. Its unchecked access to personal data is under legal fire, facing lawsuits from privacy advocates and state attorneys general. Will the courts or Congress step in?
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Behind the News
The Super Bowl LIX Ad Playbook: Data, Dollars, and the Shifting Rules of Engagement
Super Bowl LIX went beyond the splashy commercials to showcase a live experiment in how the ad ecosystem is shifting. Armed with data from AD-ID, EDO, XR, Zappi, AdImpact, and expert insights from industry leaders like Amy Leifer of DIRECTV Advertising and Sarah Lewis of ShowHeroes, we dug into this masterclass outlining advertising’s next moves, from data-driven playbooks to creative gambles that either scored big or fumbled hard.
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AI
From SEO to GEO: How AI Search is Reshaping Digital Visibility
AI-driven search tools like Perplexity and Deep Research streamline product research, raising questions about the future of specialized review sites, impulse buys, and SEO. As Google integrates AI further, publishers must adapt to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to stay visible.
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AI
Grammy Gold: What the 2025 Awards Tell Us About the Future of TV Advertising
As one of the most important nights of the year in the music industry, the Grammys pulls in millions of viewers vying to see their favorite artists perform and potentially win history-making awards. For brands, it means they can reach users who fully engage with their TV screens.
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Behind the News
Digital Advertising Malware in 2024: Lessons for 2025 and Beyond
The 2024 Ad Quality Report found that over 70% of users now perceive at least half of online ads as untrustworthy—a trend fueled by a 10% year-over-year surge in malvertising levels in 2024. Malvertisers are increasingly exploiting social engineering tactics to deceive users.
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Behind the News
When the Clock Stops: Ad Tech Leaders Weigh In on TikTok’s Potential Ban
If the TikTok ban proceeds, the ripple effects will be profound, forcing advertisers to reallocate budgets to platforms like YouTube and Meta. As the industry braces for the next chapter in the TikTok saga, questions remain about how brands and platforms will adapt to the new regulations.
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