Behind the News
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AI
9 Ad Tech Leaders React to the DOJ’s Plans for Google
What happens if Google is forced to divest Chrome or Android? How might Google’s potential breakup reshape digital advertising? Seven industry leaders share insights on the DOJ’s proposed remedies and what they could mean for digital advertising and ad tech.
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Behind the News
Drake vs. UMG and Spotify: The Battle Over Bots, Metrics, and Manipulation
In a surprising turn of events for hip-hop battles, Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging a complex scheme to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” At the core of Drake’s allegations is that UMG employed bots to inflate streaming numbers for Lamar’s track.
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Behind the News
The DOJ and Google Give Closing Arguments in Landmark Antitrust Case
The DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google’s ad tech stack in early 2023, and both sides made their closing arguments yesterday afternoon. Prosecutors from the DOJ and lawyers for Big G summarized their arguments from the heated 14-day trial to convince the U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema to either break up Google’s alleged ad tech monopoly or respect them as a big player in a competitive advertising Game of Thrones.
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Behind the News
Bigoted Spam Messages Highlight Ad Tech’s Role in Bigotry, Fraud, and Data Leakage
Bad actors aren’t as sinister as bigotry, but they played a part in the hateful texts sent to marginalized groups after the presidential elections. Data brokers often compile information by harvesting web browsing habits, social media profiles, and commercial activity, merging it with demographic and contact information and bad actors take advantage of it.
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Behind the News
The FTC Casts Shade on Data Clean Room Privacy Promises
Data clean rooms (DCRs) are hyped as a privacy-safe alternative to audience targeting, but the FTC isn’t buying it. In a blog post, the FTC says that DCRs “are not rooms, do not clean data, and have complicated implications for user privacy, despite their squeaky-clean name.”
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AI
What the Tragedy of Sewell Setzer III Teaches Publishers About Using AI Chatbots
Tragedy struck last week when a teen took his own life, leading some critics of AI to question if a Chatbot is partially responsible. Now, with Character.AI facing a wrongful death lawsuit, how much is Sewell’s death the startup’s responsibility?
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Behind the News
Click, Cancel, Clash: Inside Ad Tech’s Fight Against the FTC’s New Rule
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), along with the NCTA (Internet & Television Association) and the Electronic Security Association (ESA), have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block its new Click to Cancel rule. Is the FTC “overstepping its authority?” Let’s dig into why the industry is pushing back.
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Behind the News
From Across the Pond: How The Independent Is Capturing U.S. Readers
In the past year, The Independent experienced a 120% increase in reader engagement and 50% increase in U.S. readership. What’s the secret? The Independent creates a trusted, curious audience at the right moment.
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Behind the News
Google vs DOJ Trial Week 3: Ad Tech Spaghetti and Courtroom Drama
Get the lowdown on week three of the Google vs. DOJ trial from the AdMonsters editors. The plot thickens as Google’s defense strategy unfolds, revealing a complex web of power plays in the ad tech ecosystem.
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Behind the News
Google on Trial: Unpacking Week Two of the DOJ’s Case and What It Means for Publishers
As week two of Google’s antitrust trial unfolded, publishers were stepping out of the shadows. With testimonies revealing Google’s deep grip on ad tech, we unpack how this could reshape the industry and finally give publishers their due. Watch the full breakdown and get the highlights of the trial here.
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