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John Simpson of the Consumer Watchdog privacy project on the FTC's report on twitter disclosures.
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In today's extended media minute.
The Federal Trade Commission wants to impose old world advertising restrictions.
On the free for all of Twitter and FaceBook but -- that -- this new medium and of gagging advertisers.
We're joined by the director of consumer.
Watch -- privacy project John -- thanks for being with -- John you know looking through this -- -- -- three page report from the FTC -- goes into loving detail.
Dictating to advertise or suggesting what gotta do to make sure they disclose their tweets.
And yet it even says in fact we've got a full speed on pulling the plug on -- that if a particular platform does not provide an opportunity.
To make clear and conspicuous disclosures.
Then that platform.
Should not be used.
Haven't the people at the FTC then basically deprived certain advertisers like drug advertisers financial -- -- have to make disclosures inside the -- Haven't they now just ruled them out -- are not allowed to use that brand new medium.
-- I don't think that's the case at all look what they've simply done is taken what was first disclosure requirements that had to be in the print world they've they've came out in 2000 with wings for a broad online advertising world.
And now the -- on Smartphones and using social media they've updated it.
In a way that serves consumers and in fact advertisers as well it did it.
Set some guidelines for simple disclosures that are -- -- aren't -- they're not so simple law that mean they could end up taking up my entire -- And the FTC has decided that 33 million bloggers in the US must be regulated anytime they talk about Nike sneakers they have to also revealing that same message that they got a free pair of Nike sneakers at what point I think -- musician political.
I mean what what they're saying simply is that if that's an -- you've got to say that it's -- and if you're if you're -- and had a celebrity.
Who was held in a particular product.
You you should perhaps simply by having award add -- and -- what you're gonna say.
So that it's intuitive that this is an advertisement but his dog we have plenty Smart enough to know that when a celebrity talks about a product it probably is an endorsement without their having to be.
I disclosure don't you worry about government coming into every bit of timing exactly how to do I I don't Larry about -- I don't -- about that at all I I worry about I worry about unscrupulous businesses.
Putting out ads that are are.
Misleading and this is simply saying that if an ad is sponsored.
In it isn't bad that you have to show -- -- -- I had given.
Also sounded -- if you can't follow our guidelines.
Being you're not allowed to advertise them on that seems to a bridge at companies who constitutionally Renault -- rice everything's -- Arizona guidelines these are guidelines yet you know keep you got another -- part of the guidelines.
Let's say about the -- -- here's what the FDC in this report says about guidelines although guidelines don't have the force and effect of law if a person -- company fails to comply the FTC might bring an enforcement action that.
Doesn't sound like a -- suggested this sounds like -- new regulation.
And then they'll kind of you know they.
Where's the problem that they're trying to to to crack down on yeah they want -- right.
Stuff -- owing more on our ads that are out there are touting products.
That people don't understand -- ads and that there are certain kinds of ads.
That required disclosure why in the law.
If you don't like the fact that those ads are required to have disclosures.
Then you could perhaps get the law change but what the FTC -- is doing right now is telling people.
Howell they can advertise.
In any consumer friendly way in the new social media.
You know very simple and straightforward not I don't know I will -- John Templeton but I just don't want the FTC regulate my tweets and decide what I have to say just kind of it sticks in my -- thank you so much for and I -- really minor tweaks.
Oh yes they ought to -- imagine -- bloggers have to reveal certain things it is compelled speech and it is an overstep our government I wanna stay.
I -- thank you for being with -- there.
