Bullseye! OFT Publishes Views on Online Targeted Advertising and Pricing

On 15 October 2009 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) launched two separate studies: one on online targeting of advertising and pricing and another on advertising of prices. The first explored the practice of tailoring prices to individuals using information collected about a consumer's internet use. The second looked at pricing practices which may potentially mislead consumers, including how these practices are used online. On 25 May 2010, the OFT published a market study on the former. The report finds that, although industry self-regulation addresses some concerns about behavioural advertising, more could be done to provide consumers with better information about how personal information is collected and used. It also sets out how regulation might apply to these new and emerging practices. On 28 May 2010, the OFT published a legal discussion paper and two research papers as part of its ongoing market study into advertising of prices.