Minister of State for Data and Digital Infrastructure (): The Online Advertising
Taskforce is publishing today its Progress Report 2023-24,
summarising work carried out since the publication of its Action
Plan last year.
The Online Advertising Taskforce brings government and industry
together to help tackle harms associated with paid-for online
advertising and improve transparency, accountability and trust in
the online advertising supply chain. Its primary focus has been
on tackling illegal advertising and minimising children being
served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to
them.
The Taskforce Action Plan brought together and built on work that
was in progress to strengthen evidence, minimise harm and protect
consumers and businesses, including promoting and extending
industry initiatives which address in-scope harms associated with
paid-for online advertising.
In response to the Action Plan, six working groups were formed,
each with a specific focus on an area identified within the Plan.
Some focussed on pre-existing industry initiatives that could be
enhanced, while others focussed on particular issues affecting
transparency and accountability in online advertising, and the
development of responsive strategies. These groups have been key
drivers of action, enabling closer collaboration and development
of more detailed insight and there is further work that these
groups can take forward to build on the achievements so far.
Alongside this report I am also publishing an Online Advertising
Experiences survey commissioned by DCMS and carried out by Ipsos.
This report covers perceived exposure to illegal and misleading
advertising online, including parental perception of child
exposure. It provides insight into the type and scale of
exposure, impacts, and any follow up actions taken. It was
commissioned to provide a baseline understanding of how people
understood the risks online, particularly those associated with
online advertising. While this report provides useful evidence
and takes us a step further in understanding online advertising
behaviours, the Research Working Group, under the Taskforce, will
assess how we can build on this evidence.
I chaired a further meeting of the Taskforce on 4 November, at
which we agreed updated terms of reference and a renewed focus
for the next year. The continued work of the Taskforce and its
working groups will be very important to help us understand and
address the issues facing the online advertising sector,
particularly those around trust and transparency. This will allow
for further work in this area, with the work already completed
enabling a sharper focus moving forward.
The progress report and research are published on gov.uk today
and copies will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.
