| From | Check My Ads <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Thanks to you, the FTC knows X isn't labeling all of its ads đź’Ş |
| Date | November 15, 2023 4:50 PM |
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, https:/=
/api.neonemails.com/emails/content/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI=
1V4=3D.
We've filed an FTC complaint over X's unlabeled ads
In early September, we spotted something funny: X wasn=E2=80=99t labeling a=
ll of its ads. The Federal Trade Commission is kinda picky about that, so w=
e put out the call for more examples. And boy howdy, the community responde=
d big time with hundreds of unlabeled ads.=20
This gave us the ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investig=
ated =E2=80=94 and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains =E2=80=94 bec=
ause not marking ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabe=
led ads could trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the =
chance for scams. (You can read the full complaint here.)
It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They have no way to know th=
ey=E2=80=99re being targeted in the first place! And it=E2=80=99s not great=
for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal risk and potentially hurti=
ng their reputations.
Making all this worse, X is set up to explain why you=E2=80=99re seeing an =
ad with a hyperlink =E2=80=94 but those are frequently broken when they are=
shown.
"X Corp.=E2=80=99s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to =
advertisers, and flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising c=
onstitute unfair and deceptive practices,=E2=80=9C said Check My Ads=E2=80=
=99 Policy Director Sarah Kay Wiley. =E2=80=9CWe urge the Commission to det=
ermine the extent of these violations and address them to the full extent o=
f its authority."
The issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its=
advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Wh=
ere ads once had the word =E2=80=9Cpromoted=E2=80=9D below them, they now h=
ave a smaller =E2=80=9Cad=E2=80=9D label next to a menu in the top right of=
tweets =E2=80=94 but not all the time.
People have even spotted unlabeled clickbait ads that you can=E2=80=99t eve=
n block or report.
It=E2=80=99s just another example of why X isn=E2=80=99t brand safe under M=
usk=E2=80=99s leadership. He created a system that encourages toxicity, giv=
ing a chunk of ad revenue to some of the platform=E2=80=99s worst actors. A=
nd after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the =
void and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by Google and In=
Mobi. This makes labeling even more important as programmatic ads are notor=
iously scammy - think the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has al=
so announced that it will allow political ads on the platform again, for th=
e first time since 2019.
For the good of consumers and advertisers alike, we=E2=80=99re asking the F=
TC to:
Get X to create a public database detailing all advertising on the platform=
.
Get X to clearly label all ads.
Fine the company for violating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepres=
enting its ad practices.
Require X to give up its ill-gotten advertising gains.
Provide any other relief the Commission thinks is appropriate.
Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this complaint exi=
sts because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep helping the ef=
fort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors, consider bec=
oming a Checkmate through a recurring donation.
We can=E2=80=99t wait to hear what the FTC has to say.
Hugs,
Claire & Nandini
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed]
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den; mso-hide:all;"><!--NEONCRM-PREVIEW-TEXT-START---->Get the FTC=E2=80=99=
s attention with this one neat trick!<!--NEONCRM-PREVIEW-TEXT-END-----></sp=
an> <!--<![endif]-->=20
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can <a hre=
f=3D"[link removed]
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=3D" target=3D"_blank" title=3D"View email online" style=3D"color: #0074d9;=
text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left;=
line-height: 1.5;">see it online</a>.
</center> </th>=20
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<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
eoncrm.com/neon/resource/checkmyads/images/CRM_News_Header.png" alt=3D"A lo=
go for Check My Ads that says Hot Off The Press, with newspaper, fire, and =
paw print emoji" width=3D"600" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; tex=
t-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear=
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<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h3 st=
yle=3D"padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 130=
%; color: inherit; word-wrap: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 28px; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana, s=
ans-serif;"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 20pt;">We've filed an FTC com=
plaint over X's unlabeled ads</span></strong></h3></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<div id=3D"defanged75" class=3D"u-article u-containFloats">=
=20
<div id=3D"defanged75" class=3D"u-article u-containFloats">=
=20
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,s=
ans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom=
: 10px;">In early September, we spotted something funny: <a class=3D"notion=
-link-token notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" tabindex=3D"0" href=
=3D"[link removed]
Tk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBjKkHfXWXry71xeKqALwkRQ=
=3D" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" data-token-index=3D"1" style=3D"color: #00=
74d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; line-height: 1.5;"><span class=3D"link-annotation-unknown-block-id-13=
124658">X wasn=E2=80=99t labeling all of its ads</span></a>. The Federal Tr=
ade Commission is kinda picky about that, so we <a class=3D"notion-link-tok=
en notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" tabindex=3D"0" href=3D"https=
://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68W=
IT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBoGXGsCFI3UKuHPWgC6ep0Q=3D" rel=3D=
"noopener noreferrer" data-token-index=3D"3" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-=
decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-=
height: 1.5;"><span class=3D"link-annotation-unknown-block-id--720425333">p=
ut out the call for more examples</span></a>. And boy howdy, the community =
responded <span class=3D"notion-enable-hover" data-token-index=3D"5">big ti=
me</span> with <span class=3D"notion-enable-hover" data-token-index=3D"7">h=
undreds</span> of unlabeled ads. </p>=20
</div>=20
</div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last image" styl=
e=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word=
-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; =
border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
eoncrm.com/neon/resource/checkmyads/images/Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%201=
1_14_39%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt=3D"Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%2011_14_39%E2%8=
0%AFAM.png" width=3D"529" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; text-dec=
oration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: bot=
h; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align:=
center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">This gave us t=
he ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investigated =E2=80=94=
and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains =E2=80=94 because not marki=
ng ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabeled ads could =
trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the chance for sca=
ms. (<a href=3D"[link removed]
oIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBmVZ0Ucl1UGK7=
2ke5u1UkUw=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight:=
inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">You can read the=
full complaint here</a>.)</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0=
; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px;">It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They=
have no way to know they=E2=80=99re being targeted in the first place! And=
it=E2=80=99s not great for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal ris=
k and potentially hurting their reputations.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Making all this worse, X is set up=
to explain why you=E2=80=99re seeing an ad with a hyperlink =E2=80=94 but =
those are frequently broken when they are shown.</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last image" styl=
e=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word=
-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; =
border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
eoncrm.com/neon/resource/checkmyads/images/Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%201=
1_12_51%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt=3D"Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%2011_12_51%E2%8=
0%AFAM.png" width=3D"600" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; text-dec=
oration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: bot=
h; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align:=
center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">"X Corp.=E2=80=
=99s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to advertisers, a=
nd flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising constitute unfa=
ir and deceptive practices,=E2=80=9C said Check My Ads=E2=80=99 Policy Dire=
ctor Sarah Kay Wiley. =E2=80=9CWe urge the Commission to determine the exte=
nt of these violations and address them to the full extent of its authority=
."</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">T=
he issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its =
advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Whe=
re ads once had the word =E2=80=9Cpromoted=E2=80=9D below them, they now ha=
ve a smaller =E2=80=9Cad=E2=80=9D label next to a menu in the top right of =
tweets =E2=80=94 but not all the time.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font=
-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: =
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-b=
ottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">People have even spotted unlabeled click=
bait ads that <a href=3D"[link removed]
ink/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBh4D=
ggA-y_B3xlJGgCe1W44=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; fon=
t-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">you can=
=E2=80=99t even block or report</a>.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">It=E2=80=99s just another example of why <=
a href=3D"[link removed]
5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBgkJsh_s7u7-X1aMGqW=
MVJs=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inher=
it; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">X isn=E2=80=99t brand =
safe</a> under Musk=E2=80=99s leadership. He created a system that encourag=
es toxicity, giving a chunk of ad revenue to <a href=3D"[link removed]
ils.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI=
1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBnkKa_9WMPeRJ-LUvyEd8iU=3D" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">some of the platform=E2=80=99s worst actors</a>. An=
d after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the v=
oid and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by <a href=3D"htt=
ps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN6=
8WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBt3t3mJVYoZSWftgpo0E8Is=3D" styl=
e=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: =
0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">Google and InMobi</a>. This makes l=
abeling even more important as programmatic ads are notoriously scammy - th=
ink the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has also announced that =
<a href=3D"[link removed]
x5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBrolttlaJiALKPjqd5=
eI2yc=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inhe=
rit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">it will allow politic=
al ads on the platform again</a>, for the first time since 2019.</p> <p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">For the good o=
f consumers and advertisers alike, we=E2=80=99re asking the FTC to:</p>=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px 0=
; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-st=
yle: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; list-style-type: none;">=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px=
0; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Get X to create a public =
database detailing all advertising on the platform.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Get X to clearly label al=
l ads.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Fine the company for viol=
ating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepresenting its ad practices.<=
/li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Require X to give up its =
ill-gotten advertising gains.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Provide any other relief =
the Commission thinks is appropriate.</li>=20
</ul> </li>=20
</ul> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;">Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this =
complaint exists because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep h=
elping the effort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors,=
consider <a href=3D"[link removed]
hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBuHn8jK1=
jlpk-mb93bA0yJs=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-we=
ight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">becoming a =
Checkmate</a> through a recurring donation.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">We can=E2=80=99t wait to hear what =
the FTC has to say.</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Hugs,</p> <p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Claire &=
Nandini</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last divider" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-bottom: 24px; padding-top: 0;">
<div>
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->=20
<div class=3D"titan__email-divider" style=3D"mso-line-heigh=
t-rule: exactly; line-height: 1pt; height: 1px; border-top-width: 2px; bord=
er-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #A8A29E; margin-top: 12px; margin-bo=
ttom: 12px;" data-color=3D"#A8A29E" data-thicknessnum=3D"2" data-dividersty=
le=3D"solid" data-topnum=3D"12" data-bottomnum=3D"12" data-height=3D"1" dat=
a-lineheight=3D"1">
</div> <!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; border-collapse=
: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: 0; position: re=
lative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last" style=3D"w=
ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; padding-top: 24px; pad=
ding-bottom: 24px; word-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px=
; padding-right: 24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0;">=20
<center style=3D"width: 100%; min-width: 532px;"> <a href=3D=
"[link removed]
BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBqZ1BYiZGuOapJRQfhRClps=3D" =
target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weig=
ht: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px; M=
argin: 5px;" title=3D"Facebook"> <img class=3D"email-icon" width=3D"24" src=
=3D"[link removed]" bord=
er=3D"0" alt=3D"Facebook" style=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -m=
s-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: both; margin: 0 auto=
; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align: center; border: none; display: i=
nline; margin-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; width: auto; object-fit: none; =
height: auto;"> </a> <a href=3D"[link removed]
click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJ=
IGaBvmOoiqRe2Ap1PGwdqBc-68=3D" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #0074d9; t=
ext-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; l=
ine-height: 1.5; margin: 5px; Margin: 5px;" title=3D"Instagram"> <img class=
=3D"email-icon" width=3D"24" src=3D"[link removed]
il/lighticons/Instagram.png" border=3D"0" alt=3D"Instagram" style=3D"outlin=
e: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width:=
100%; clear: both; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align=
: center; border: none; display: inline; margin-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 8p=
x; width: auto; object-fit: none; height: auto;"> </a> <a href=3D"[link removed]
pi.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1M=
O3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBiWNUO0LxrgkEMFgtkgWDQ0=3D" target=3D"=
_blank" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inheri=
t; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px; Margin: 5px=
;" title=3D"LinkedIn"> <img class=3D"email-icon" width=3D"24" src=3D"https:=
//neonstatic.s3.amazonaws.com/email/lighticons/LinkedIn.png" border=3D"0" a=
lt=3D"LinkedIn" style=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpol=
ation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: both; margin: 0 auto; Margin: =
0 auto; float: none; text-align: center; border: none; display: inline; mar=
gin-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; width: auto; object-fit: none; height: au=
to;"> </a> <a href=3D"[link removed]
/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBh4F6u2=
JUm8wnfXvLRa3yGk=3D" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decora=
tion: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height=
: 1.5; margin: 5px; Margin: 5px;" title=3D"Twitter"> <img class=3D"email-ic=
on" width=3D"24" src=3D"[link removed]
s/Twitter.png" border=3D"0" alt=3D"Twitter" style=3D"outline: none; text-de=
coration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: bo=
th; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align: center; border=
: none; display: inline; margin-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; width: auto; =
object-fit: none; height: auto;"> </a>=20
</center> </th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; border-collapse=
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
We've filed an FTC complaint over X's unlabeled ads
In early September, we spotted something funny: X wasn’t labeling all of its ads. The Federal Trade Commission is kinda picky about that, so we put out the call for more examples. And boy howdy, the community responded big time with hundreds of unlabeled ads.
This gave us the ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investigated — and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains — because not marking ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabeled ads could trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the chance for scams. (You can read the full complaint here.)
It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They have no way to know they’re being targeted in the first place! And it’s not great for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal risk and potentially hurting their reputations.
Making all this worse, X is set up to explain why you’re seeing an ad with a hyperlink — but those are frequently broken when they are shown.
"X Corp.’s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to advertisers, and flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising constitute unfair and deceptive practices,“ said Check My Ads’ Policy Director Sarah Kay Wiley. “We urge the Commission to determine the extent of these violations and address them to the full extent of its authority."
The issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Where ads once had the word “promoted” below them, they now have a smaller “ad” label next to a menu in the top right of tweets — but not all the time.
People have even spotted unlabeled clickbait ads that you can’t even block or report.
It’s just another example of why X isn’t brand safe under Musk’s leadership. He created a system that encourages toxicity, giving a chunk of ad revenue to some of the platform’s worst actors. And after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the void and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by Google and InMobi. This makes labeling even more important as programmatic ads are notoriously scammy - think the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has also announced that it will allow political ads on the platform again, for the first time since 2019.
For the good of consumers and advertisers alike, we’re asking the FTC to:
Get X to create a public database detailing all advertising on the platform.
Get X to clearly label all ads.
Fine the company for violating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepresenting its ad practices.
Require X to give up its ill-gotten advertising gains.
Provide any other relief the Commission thinks is appropriate.
Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this complaint exists because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep helping the effort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors, consider becoming a Checkmate through a recurring donation.
We can’t wait to hear what the FTC has to say.
Hugs,
Claire & Nandini
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, https:/=
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1V4=3D.
We've filed an FTC complaint over X's unlabeled ads
In early September, we spotted something funny: X wasn=E2=80=99t labeling a=
ll of its ads. The Federal Trade Commission is kinda picky about that, so w=
e put out the call for more examples. And boy howdy, the community responde=
d big time with hundreds of unlabeled ads.=20
This gave us the ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investig=
ated =E2=80=94 and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains =E2=80=94 bec=
ause not marking ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabe=
led ads could trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the =
chance for scams. (You can read the full complaint here.)
It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They have no way to know th=
ey=E2=80=99re being targeted in the first place! And it=E2=80=99s not great=
for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal risk and potentially hurti=
ng their reputations.
Making all this worse, X is set up to explain why you=E2=80=99re seeing an =
ad with a hyperlink =E2=80=94 but those are frequently broken when they are=
shown.
"X Corp.=E2=80=99s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to =
advertisers, and flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising c=
onstitute unfair and deceptive practices,=E2=80=9C said Check My Ads=E2=80=
=99 Policy Director Sarah Kay Wiley. =E2=80=9CWe urge the Commission to det=
ermine the extent of these violations and address them to the full extent o=
f its authority."
The issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its=
advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Wh=
ere ads once had the word =E2=80=9Cpromoted=E2=80=9D below them, they now h=
ave a smaller =E2=80=9Cad=E2=80=9D label next to a menu in the top right of=
tweets =E2=80=94 but not all the time.
People have even spotted unlabeled clickbait ads that you can=E2=80=99t eve=
n block or report.
It=E2=80=99s just another example of why X isn=E2=80=99t brand safe under M=
usk=E2=80=99s leadership. He created a system that encourages toxicity, giv=
ing a chunk of ad revenue to some of the platform=E2=80=99s worst actors. A=
nd after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the =
void and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by Google and In=
Mobi. This makes labeling even more important as programmatic ads are notor=
iously scammy - think the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has al=
so announced that it will allow political ads on the platform again, for th=
e first time since 2019.
For the good of consumers and advertisers alike, we=E2=80=99re asking the F=
TC to:
Get X to create a public database detailing all advertising on the platform=
.
Get X to clearly label all ads.
Fine the company for violating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepres=
enting its ad practices.
Require X to give up its ill-gotten advertising gains.
Provide any other relief the Commission thinks is appropriate.
Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this complaint exi=
sts because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep helping the ef=
fort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors, consider bec=
oming a Checkmate through a recurring donation.
We can=E2=80=99t wait to hear what the FTC has to say.
Hugs,
Claire & Nandini
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed]
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emailId=3D4f3cfc36e29cfaa39d110037efed67554m1914154f3&userId=3DYZi1e6b19Xtj=
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<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h3 st=
yle=3D"padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 130=
%; color: inherit; word-wrap: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 28px; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana, s=
ans-serif;"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 20pt;">We've filed an FTC com=
plaint over X's unlabeled ads</span></strong></h3></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<div id=3D"defanged75" class=3D"u-article u-containFloats">=
=20
<div id=3D"defanged75" class=3D"u-article u-containFloats">=
=20
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,s=
ans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom=
: 10px;">In early September, we spotted something funny: <a class=3D"notion=
-link-token notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" tabindex=3D"0" href=
=3D"[link removed]
Tk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBjKkHfXWXry71xeKqALwkRQ=
=3D" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" data-token-index=3D"1" style=3D"color: #00=
74d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; line-height: 1.5;"><span class=3D"link-annotation-unknown-block-id-13=
124658">X wasn=E2=80=99t labeling all of its ads</span></a>. The Federal Tr=
ade Commission is kinda picky about that, so we <a class=3D"notion-link-tok=
en notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" tabindex=3D"0" href=3D"https=
://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68W=
IT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBoGXGsCFI3UKuHPWgC6ep0Q=3D" rel=3D=
"noopener noreferrer" data-token-index=3D"3" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-=
decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-=
height: 1.5;"><span class=3D"link-annotation-unknown-block-id--720425333">p=
ut out the call for more examples</span></a>. And boy howdy, the community =
responded <span class=3D"notion-enable-hover" data-token-index=3D"5">big ti=
me</span> with <span class=3D"notion-enable-hover" data-token-index=3D"7">h=
undreds</span> of unlabeled ads. </p>=20
</div>=20
</div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last image" styl=
e=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word=
-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; =
border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
eoncrm.com/neon/resource/checkmyads/images/Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%201=
1_14_39%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt=3D"Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%2011_14_39%E2%8=
0%AFAM.png" width=3D"529" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; text-dec=
oration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: bot=
h; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align:=
center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">This gave us t=
he ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investigated =E2=80=94=
and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains =E2=80=94 because not marki=
ng ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabeled ads could =
trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the chance for sca=
ms. (<a href=3D"[link removed]
oIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBmVZ0Ucl1UGK7=
2ke5u1UkUw=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight:=
inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">You can read the=
full complaint here</a>.)</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0=
; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px;">It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They=
have no way to know they=E2=80=99re being targeted in the first place! And=
it=E2=80=99s not great for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal ris=
k and potentially hurting their reputations.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Making all this worse, X is set up=
to explain why you=E2=80=99re seeing an ad with a hyperlink =E2=80=94 but =
those are frequently broken when they are shown.</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last image" styl=
e=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word=
-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; =
border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
eoncrm.com/neon/resource/checkmyads/images/Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%201=
1_12_51%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt=3D"Screenshot%202023-11-15%20at%2011_12_51%E2%8=
0%AFAM.png" width=3D"600" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; text-dec=
oration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: bot=
h; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align:=
center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">"X Corp.=E2=80=
=99s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to advertisers, a=
nd flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising constitute unfa=
ir and deceptive practices,=E2=80=9C said Check My Ads=E2=80=99 Policy Dire=
ctor Sarah Kay Wiley. =E2=80=9CWe urge the Commission to determine the exte=
nt of these violations and address them to the full extent of its authority=
."</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">T=
he issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its =
advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Whe=
re ads once had the word =E2=80=9Cpromoted=E2=80=9D below them, they now ha=
ve a smaller =E2=80=9Cad=E2=80=9D label next to a menu in the top right of =
tweets =E2=80=94 but not all the time.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font=
-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: =
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-b=
ottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">People have even spotted unlabeled click=
bait ads that <a href=3D"[link removed]
ink/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBh4D=
ggA-y_B3xlJGgCe1W44=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; fon=
t-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">you can=
=E2=80=99t even block or report</a>.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">It=E2=80=99s just another example of why <=
a href=3D"[link removed]
5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBgkJsh_s7u7-X1aMGqW=
MVJs=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inher=
it; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">X isn=E2=80=99t brand =
safe</a> under Musk=E2=80=99s leadership. He created a system that encourag=
es toxicity, giving a chunk of ad revenue to <a href=3D"[link removed]
ils.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI=
1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBnkKa_9WMPeRJ-LUvyEd8iU=3D" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">some of the platform=E2=80=99s worst actors</a>. An=
d after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the v=
oid and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by <a href=3D"htt=
ps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN6=
8WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBt3t3mJVYoZSWftgpo0E8Is=3D" styl=
e=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: =
0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">Google and InMobi</a>. This makes l=
abeling even more important as programmatic ads are notoriously scammy - th=
ink the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has also announced that =
<a href=3D"[link removed]
x5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBrolttlaJiALKPjqd5=
eI2yc=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inhe=
rit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">it will allow politic=
al ads on the platform again</a>, for the first time since 2019.</p> <p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">For the good o=
f consumers and advertisers alike, we=E2=80=99re asking the FTC to:</p>=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px 0=
; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Margin=
: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-st=
yle: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet; list-style-type: none;">=20
<ul style=3D"list-style-position: inside; Margin: 0 0 10px=
0; padding: 0 0 0 10px;">=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Get X to create a public =
database detailing all advertising on the platform.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Get X to clearly label al=
l ads.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Fine the company for viol=
ating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepresenting its ad practices.<=
/li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Require X to give up its =
ill-gotten advertising gains.</li>=20
<li style=3D"display: list-item; line-height: 1.5em; Marg=
in: 0; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0; word-break: break-word; list-=
style: disc outside; mso-special-format: bullet;">Provide any other relief =
the Commission thinks is appropriate.</li>=20
</ul> </li>=20
</ul> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;">Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this =
complaint exists because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep h=
elping the effort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors,=
consider <a href=3D"[link removed]
hogeBoIhsBx5xcVQATk4BAN68WIT1MO3Zj2J3LwI1V4=3D/Dv4zLyiFFQXsLuorJIGaBuHn8jK1=
jlpk-mb93bA0yJs=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-we=
ight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">becoming a =
Checkmate</a> through a recurring donation.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144;=
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; mar=
gin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">We can=E2=80=99t wait to hear what =
the FTC has to say.</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;"><p sty=
le=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight:=
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Hugs,</p> <p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Claire &=
Nandini</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #F7F6EE; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last divider" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-bottom: 24px; padding-top: 0;">
<div>
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->=20
<div class=3D"titan__email-divider" style=3D"mso-line-heigh=
t-rule: exactly; line-height: 1pt; height: 1px; border-top-width: 2px; bord=
er-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #A8A29E; margin-top: 12px; margin-bo=
ttom: 12px;" data-color=3D"#A8A29E" data-thicknessnum=3D"2" data-dividersty=
le=3D"solid" data-topnum=3D"12" data-bottomnum=3D"12" data-height=3D"1" dat=
a-lineheight=3D"1">
</div> <!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</div></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; border-collapse=
: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: 0; position: re=
lative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last" style=3D"w=
ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; padding-top: 24px; pad=
ding-bottom: 24px; word-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px=
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
We've filed an FTC complaint over X's unlabeled ads
In early September, we spotted something funny: X wasn’t labeling all of its ads. The Federal Trade Commission is kinda picky about that, so we put out the call for more examples. And boy howdy, the community responded big time with hundreds of unlabeled ads.
This gave us the ammo to build our case to the FTC and demand X be investigated — and fork over its ill-gotten advertising gains — because not marking ads is no small thing. As the complaint points out, unlabeled ads could trick users into thinking content is organic, increasing the chance for scams. (You can read the full complaint here.)
It also leaves people unaware and unsuspecting. They have no way to know they’re being targeted in the first place! And it’s not great for advertisers, either, exposing them to legal risk and potentially hurting their reputations.
Making all this worse, X is set up to explain why you’re seeing an ad with a hyperlink — but those are frequently broken when they are shown.
"X Corp.’s lack of disclosures to consumers, misrepresentations to advertisers, and flawed access to explanations about targeted advertising constitute unfair and deceptive practices,“ said Check My Ads’ Policy Director Sarah Kay Wiley. “We urge the Commission to determine the extent of these violations and address them to the full extent of its authority."
The issue of unlabeled ads exploded after X lost a significant chunk of its advertising revenue (Musk publicly confirmed ads revenue was down 60%). Where ads once had the word “promoted” below them, they now have a smaller “ad” label next to a menu in the top right of tweets — but not all the time.
People have even spotted unlabeled clickbait ads that you can’t even block or report.
It’s just another example of why X isn’t brand safe under Musk’s leadership. He created a system that encourages toxicity, giving a chunk of ad revenue to some of the platform’s worst actors. And after direct advertisers have fled, X has has now turned to filling the void and empty platform space with programmatic ads placed by Google and InMobi. This makes labeling even more important as programmatic ads are notoriously scammy - think the ads you see at the bottom of news sites. X has also announced that it will allow political ads on the platform again, for the first time since 2019.
For the good of consumers and advertisers alike, we’re asking the FTC to:
Get X to create a public database detailing all advertising on the platform.
Get X to clearly label all ads.
Fine the company for violating a 2022 order that prohibits X from misrepresenting its ad practices.
Require X to give up its ill-gotten advertising gains.
Provide any other relief the Commission thinks is appropriate.
Thank you again to everyone who submitted unlabeled ads; this complaint exists because we exercised our voices. And if you want to keep helping the effort to bring transparency to adtech and shut down bad actors, consider becoming a Checkmate through a recurring donation.
We can’t wait to hear what the FTC has to say.
Hugs,
Claire & Nandini
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
Message Analysis
- Sender: Check My Ads
- Political Party: n/a
- Country: United States
- State/Locality: n/a
- Office: n/a