Markets Wired

The Federal Trade Commission has announced the final agenda for its upcoming workshop on the practice of tracking consumers across Internet-connected devices for advertising and marketing purposes and related consumer protection issues.

The half-day event, which will take place on Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C. at the FTC’s Constitution Center offices, will explore the practice known as “cross-device tracking.” As consumers use an increasingly diverse array of devices, from smart phones to tablets to wearable devices, they interact with platforms, applications, software and publishers in ways that were impossible to conceive even just a few years ago.  The workshop will examine the practice of collecting data through these devices and the potential wide-ranging effects on consumer privacy.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez will provide opening remarks, followed by a presentation from Justin Brookman, policy director for the FTC’s Office of Technology, Research and Investigation, which will set the stage for two panel discussions featuring academics, technologists, consumer advocates and industry representatives.

The first panel will take an in-depth look at the technology behind cross-device tracking, including a look at how it has evolved, the benefits of the technology for businesses and consumers, as well as the privacy concerns and possible notice and choice mechanisms.

The second panel will examine the policy implications of cross-device tracking, including the nature of the data being collected about consumers, levels of consumer awareness of this form of tracking, ways in which consumers can receive notice of cross-device tracking practices and give meaningful consent, and how industry self-regulation efforts apply to tracking.

The workshop will take place in the FTC’s Constitution Center offices in the A, B, and C conference rooms located at 400 7th Street, SW, in Washington, D.C. The workshop is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the workshop begins at 9 a.m.

Full details are available on the workshop’s webpage. The workshop will be webcast live on the FTC’s website, and the event will be tweeted live from @FTC using the hashtag #FTCXDT.

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