FTC Information Workshop Seeks ‘Empirical’ Evidence
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking empirical evidence that the collection and use of customer information by businesses benefits consumers in its June 18th workshop on this issue.
Through a Federal Register notice and its Web site (www.ftc.gov), the agency is soliciting comments and possible speakers for the event, which takes place at FTC headquarters on New Jersey Ave. In Washington, DC.
The workshop will focus on such topics as consumer credit, fraud prevention and customer relationship management, as well as direct and targeted marketing, according to an FTC policy planning official who requested anonymity.
“This is probably the most important workshop the FTC has put on for the industry,” said Marty Abrams, executive director of the Center for Information Policy Leadership at Hunton & Williams, Atlanta, who will be speaking at the session. “Earlier ones on spam and profiling were important but this one which is all about what benefits sharing information brings to the consumer goes right to the heart of the direct marketing industry.”
FTC officials conceded that they haven’t yet chosen the case study speakers. Abrams urged the industry to come up with case studies that have demonstrably benefited consumers.
“Technological improvements that have saved companies money just won’t do it,” he said.
Without saying the companies would participate in the workshop , Abrams cited eBay and Amazon.com as examples of companies that essentially created new industries through using consumer information.
The seminar will explore how businesses collect and aggregate consumer information, how they use it and what types of information they use.
Other concerns include the costs and benefits to consumers of the use of this type of information; and what businesses are doing to reduce the costs and increase the benefits of collecting and using this data.
To register for this workshop and suggest additional topics individuals can send e-mails to the FTC at [email protected].
