CARU

BBB National Programs Unveils New Guardrails for Child-Directed Advertising & Privacy in the Metaverse

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BBB National Programs' Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) today released new Guardrails for Child-Directed Advertising and Privacy in the Metaverse, developed by the BBB National Programs Metaverse Working Group, a convening of diverse well-respected global industry professionals representing toy, gaming, network, food, streaming, adtech, and mobile brands popular with children.

Key Points: 
  • MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BBB National Programs' Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) today released new Guardrails for Child-Directed Advertising and Privacy in the Metaverse, developed by the BBB National Programs Metaverse Working Group, a convening of diverse well-respected global industry professionals representing toy, gaming, network, food, streaming, adtech, and mobile brands popular with children.
  • The Metaverse Guardrails are a set of realistic, actionable recommendations and best practices intended to help companies to:
    Develop metaverse experiences directed to children;
    Comply with existing advertising and privacy law; and
    Engage responsibly with children online.
  • The Metaverse Guardrails encompass best practices and recommendations for how to be compliant in metaverse spaces:
    Be transparent.
  • "In the evolving metaverse space there is a real need for brands to tread cautiously, especially when it comes to safeguarding children," said Dona Fraser, Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs.

BMO Launches +/- 3X MAX™ Auto Industry Exchange Traded Notes on NYSE Arca

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 28, 2023

NEW YORK, June 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced the launch of two new MAX™ Exchange Traded Notes ("ETNs").

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, June 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced the launch of two new MAX™ Exchange Traded Notes ("ETNs").
  • The two new MAX ETNs are linked to the performance of the Prime Auto Industry Index.
  • The MAX™ Auto Industry 3x Leveraged ETNs (ticker: CARU ) and MAX™ Auto Industry -3x Inverse Leveraged ETNs (ticker: CARD ) will start trading today on NYSE Arca.
  • "We are pleased to offer sophisticated investors the option to trade auto industry stocks with +/- 3X leverage exposure with CARU and CARD ETNs."

Walmart Removes Child Advergame from Roblox After Advocates Send Warning

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The advocacy groups warned in its January letter that the metaverse game, featuring ads, virtual products and characters from Paw Patrol, Jurassic World, L.O.L.

Key Points: 
  • The advocacy groups warned in its January letter that the metaverse game, featuring ads, virtual products and characters from Paw Patrol, Jurassic World, L.O.L.
  • “TINA.org is always pleased when deceptive marketing is removed or corrected, particularly when it impacts a vulnerable population such as young children.
  • We’re glad to see this advergame was removed from Roblox,” said Fairplay campaign director, David Monahan.
  • To read more about deceptive marketing on Roblox see:  www.truthinadvertising.org/brands/roblox

Walmart Deceptively Marketing to Kids on Roblox

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 24, 2023

According to a letter from TINA.org, Fairplay, Center for Digital Democracy and the National Association of Consumer Advocates, a copy of which was sent to Walmart, Roblox and the FTC, the retail giant is exposing children to deceptive marketing on Roblox , the online gaming and creation platform used by millions of kids on a daily basis.

Key Points: 
  • According to a letter from TINA.org, Fairplay, Center for Digital Democracy and the National Association of Consumer Advocates, a copy of which was sent to Walmart, Roblox and the FTC, the retail giant is exposing children to deceptive marketing on Roblox , the online gaming and creation platform used by millions of kids on a daily basis.
  • Walmart’s first foray into the Roblox metaverse came last September, when it premiered two experiences, Walmart Universe of Play and Walmart Land, which collectively have been visited more than 12 million times.
  • Targeted at – and accessible to – young children on Roblox, Universe of Play features virtual products and characters from L.O.L.
  • The rise of the metaverse has enabled a new category of deceptive marketing practices that are harmful to children.

National Advertising Division Recommends Modification of Disclosures Used in Connection with Comcast Xfinity Mobile vs. Verizon 5G Comparative Savings Claims

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 15, 2022

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that comparative savings claims made by Comcast Cable Communications, LLC about its Xfinity Mobile 5G service plan would not be misleading when compared with the cheapest two Ultra Wideband 5G plans by Verizon Communications, Inc., provided that disclosures were adequate.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that comparative savings claims made by Comcast Cable Communications, LLC about its Xfinity Mobile 5G service plan would not be misleading when compared with the cheapest two Ultra Wideband 5G plans by Verizon Communications, Inc., provided that disclosures were adequate.
  • In this case, Verizon challenged claims made by Comcast's comparison of different 5G plans its single 5G plan vs. two of Verizon's mid-tier plans and NAD assessed whether such claims are misleading.
  • The express and implied claims at issue, which appeared in Comcast's "Comparisons" television commercial, included:
    Consumers will reap massive savings by switching from Verizon to Xfinity Mobile.
  • NAD considered whether two visual comparisons used in the "Comparisons" commercial conveyed the implied message that Verizon consumers will receive massive savings if they switched to Xfinity.

National Advertising Review Board Recommends P&G Discontinue Odor Elimination Claims for Febreze Products

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 15, 2022

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising law body of BBB National Programs, recommended that Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) discontinue certain "odor elimination" claims that P&G makes across its Febreze line of home fragrance products, which include the Febreze air, candle, car, plug, small spaces, and wax melts products.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising law body of BBB National Programs, recommended that Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) discontinue certain "odor elimination" claims that P&G makes across its Febreze line of home fragrance products, which include the Febreze air, candle, car, plug, small spaces, and wax melts products.
  • The advertising at issue had been challenged before the National Advertising Division (NAD) by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., manufacturer of the competing line of Glade brand products.
  • 6977 ), P&G appealed NAD's recommendation that it discontinue 19 express and two implied claims, many of which include express references to the ability of Febreze products to "eliminate" odors.
  • The National Advertising Review Board (NARB)is the appellate body for BBB National Programs' advertising self-regulatory programs.

National Advertising Division Recommends CreditAssociates Discontinue "America's #1 Debt Relief Company" Claim and Certain Consumer Testimonials

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

The claims at issue were challenged by NAD as part of its independent routine monitoring of truth and transparency in U.S. national advertising.

Key Points: 
  • The claims at issue were challenged by NAD as part of its independent routine monitoring of truth and transparency in U.S. national advertising.
  • Debt settlement companies market their services to reduce or eliminate unsecured consumer debt to heavily indebted consumers.
  • About BBB National Programs:BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard.
  • About the National Advertising Division:TheNational Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programsprovidesindependent self-regulationand dispute resolution services,guidingthe truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NADreviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards foradvertisingtruth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection toconsumersand leveling the playing field for business.

National Advertising Division Recommends Charter Communications Discontinue or Modify Claims Comparing Its Spectrum Internet Speeds to AT&T

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 13, 2022

NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Charter Communications, Inc. discontinue or modify certain comparative speed claims for its Spectrum Internet service, which appeared in its "Monsters Gaming" television commercial.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Charter Communications, Inc. discontinue or modify certain comparative speed claims for its Spectrum Internet service, which appeared in its "Monsters Gaming" television commercial.
  • The claims at issue were challenged by internet service provider competitor AT&T Services, Inc.
  • They included:
    AT&T does not offer any internet speeds comparable to Spectrum's Gig Internet.
  • Rather, AT&T Internet 1000, which provides download speeds of 940 Mbps and which Charter acknowledged is available to consumers in the AT&T/Charter competitive footprint, is more equivalent to Spectrum Internet Gig.

CARU Finds Tilting Point Media in Violation of COPPA and CARU's Advertising and Privacy Guidelines; Company Agrees to Corrective Actions

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Upon receipt of CARU's inquiry, Tilting Point proactively implemented changes to address each of CARU's concerns regarding its advertising and privacy practices and continues to take other corrective actionsto address the remaining violations.

Key Points: 
  • Upon receipt of CARU's inquiry, Tilting Point proactively implemented changes to address each of CARU's concerns regarding its advertising and privacy practices and continues to take other corrective actionsto address the remaining violations.
  • The SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off app, featuring SpongeBob characters licensed by Viacom Media Networks, came to CARU's attention through its routine monitoring of child-directed content.
  • Update its privacy policy to align with COPPA and better reflect its data practices as a mixed-audience site.
  • Tilting Point proactively implemented changes to address each of CARU's concerns regarding its advertising and privacy practices.

In Fast-Track SWIFT Case, National Advertising Division Recommends Advertiser Claims be Modified or Discontinued

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 6, 2022

T-Mobile US, Inc., a rival wireless carrier, had challenged Visible's claims through NAD Fast-Track SWIFT, an expedited NAD challenge process designed for single-issue advertising cases.

Key Points: 
  • T-Mobile US, Inc., a rival wireless carrier, had challenged Visible's claims through NAD Fast-Track SWIFT, an expedited NAD challenge process designed for single-issue advertising cases.
  • For a single line of Visible service, the standard monthly price is $40 per month after the first month of service.
  • About BBB National Programs:BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard.
  • About the National Advertising Division:TheNational Advertising Division (NAD),a division of BBB National Programs,providesindependent self-regulationand dispute resolution services,guidingthe truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NADreviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards foradvertisingtruth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection toconsumersand leveling the playing field for business.