Tony White has resigned as chairman and CEO of Abacus Direct, citing health reasons. White also will step down from the board of directors at Abacus’ parent DoubleClick on Friday. He’s left two other corporate boards as well.
DoubleClick has not yet named a successor. White will continue to advise the company as a consultant, a DoubleClick spokesperson told DIRECT Newsline.
“Tony’s vision, hard work and dedication to Abacus Direct and later to DoubleClick were a great asset to both companies,” said DoubleClick CEO Kevin O’Connor in a statement.
White could not be reached for comment.
White’s resignation was the second significant recent event involving New York-based DoubleClick. South Carolina attorney general Charlie Condon has announced that his office will be examining DoubleClick’s information gathering practices. Condon said he has “major concerns” that the Internet advertising services firm is placing surveillance mechanisms (“cookies”) on the computers of those who visit sites in DoubleClick’s advertising network. This is reportedly being done without site visitors’ knowledge, consent or authorization.
Cookies are used routinely by Web marketers to help them recognize site visitors and personalize offerings to them when they return. “What makes DoubleClick different is that it operates as a third party on numerous Web sites, placing additional surveillance cookies on a visitor’s computer without the visitor ever knowing that DoubleClick is there,” and that this information can then be sold to other marketers, said Condon in a published statement.
Not only are users unaware of DoubleClick’s activities, but they never have a chance to opt out of such practices, according to Condon.
DoubleClick denies these allegations.
A DoubleClick spokesperson said the company had not been contacted by South Carolina’s attorney general, and indicated that the firm’s opt-out and privacy provisions are clearly stated on DoubleClick’s Web site.
Michigan and New York state attorneys general are investigating DoubleClick’s data collection activities and are holding discussions with the company. The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has also begun an inquiry.
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