FTC Announces October Workshop on Online Lead Generation
The FTC will explore the “growing use of online lead generation in various industries, including consumer lending and education,” at a workshop on Oct. 30, a news release said. Lead generators identify or cultivate a consumer’s interest in a product…
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or service and sell those leads to third parties, the release said. “Ever complete an online application to get the best rate on a loan? Or enter your email address on a website to learn more about colleges you’d like to attend?” wrote FTC Consumer Protection Bureau attorney Pablo Zylberglait in a blog post Wednesday. That information oftentimes goes to middlemen “you may not know exist,” he said. Sometimes the data contains sensitive personal and financial information that “may travel through multiple online marketing entities before reaching the desired business,” the release said. Questions the FTC plans to address at the workshop include how online lead generation works; what types of lead generation may be unlawful under the FTC Act; best practices for entities that generate and sell consumer leads; and how consumers can avoid unlawful conduct in the online marketplace, the release said. Comments submitted by Aug. 25 may be addressed during the workshop, but the agency is accepting comments until Dec. 20. The workshop will be at the Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW in Washington. A detailed agenda will be published later.