Google is slowly phasing out third-party tracking cookies, and today, the search engine giant made it clear that it is not going to replace with equally invasive techniques, despite the impact the change will have on Google’s lucrative advertising business. In a blog post, Google explicitly states that “Instead, our web products will be powered by privacy-preserving APIs which prevent individual tracking while still delivering results for advertisers and publishers,” writes Google.
2. Netflix Launches Fast Laughs, A TikTok-Like Feed-In Mobile Apps (Variety)
Leading video streaming platform Netflix has launched a TikTok-rival called Fast Laughs that gives mobile users an instant, full-screen feed of funny clips from its huge comedy catalog. Fast Laughs is currently available for iOS device owners only in select countries and it looks and feels like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
3. Facebook To Resume Political And Social Issue Ads From Today (Facebook for Business)
Facebook announced that it will allow advertisers to resume running political and social issue ads in the US from Thursday, according to a company update. Both Google and Facebook have imposed a ban on political ads to curb the spread of misinformation and confusion around the presidential election and its aftermath. While Google lifted its political ad ban on December 10, Facebook is planning to lift the ban from today.
4. Parler Files New Lawsuit Against Amazon, Alleging Anticompetitive Conduct (WSJ)
Parler LLC has filed a new lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc. as the company continues its dispute with the tech giant for ending web-hosting services for the social network. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington state court came as Parler filed a motion to withdraw a case it brought against Amazon in Seattle federal court in January. Parler had time until Tuesday to file an amended complaint after a federal judge denied the company’s bid to compel Amazon to resume service.
5. Disney’s Online Streaming Ad Revenue May Soon Surpass Linear Channels To Set Market Record (AdAge)
Advertising at Walt Disney Co.’s online channels may soon surpass the company’s ABC broadcast network as marketers shift ad spending to more targeted audiences. Ad sales at Disney’s direct-to-consumer businesses rose 47% to $882 million last quarter, according to a filing, closing in on the $984 million at ABC, which registered a 5% gain. “Advertisers want to follow audiences,” Rita Ferro, president of advertising sales at Disney, said in an interview.
6. Disney To Sell 50% Stake In Europe’s Largest Kids Channel Super RTL (Deadline)
RTL Group has agreed to buy out Walt Disney Co.’s stake in the German kid’s channel Super RTL. The entertainment giant has held 50 percent of Europe’s largest children’s channel, but it is shifting its focus to its streaming platform Disney+. Under the deal announced Wednesday, RTL will give its German group full control of the channel.
7. Xandr Provides Identity Roadmap With Three Strategic Integration Initiatives (AdExchanger)
Xandr announced its third identity integration initiative on Wednesday with Europe’s netID login consortium. Earlier, it joined hands with LiveRamp IdentityLink and Unified ID 2.0 in the past. These efforts allow Xandar to take-up digital planning, targeting segmentation and measurement using authenticated IDs via Xandr’s programmatic buying platform it has invested in and Monetize. These partnerships are also part of Xandr’s larger road map to prepare itself and its publisher and ad buyer clients to sail safely in the absence of third-party cookies.
