NebuAd Loses ISPs

You may know that ISP targeting solution and ad network NebuAd was working with a number of small ISPs before the Charter Bruhaha. Well, it appears, according to this report on DSL Reports, that they've lost at least one. The following section of the CenturyTel Privacy policy was dropped:

CenturyTel partners with a third-party advertising firm to deliver or facilitate delivery of targeted online advertisements to our High Speed
Internet subscribers for the purpose of providing these subscribers with a richer, more relevant Web surfing experience. By observing anonymous,
non-personally identifying information regarding a subscriber's Web surfing and search behavior, the ad network can infer the subscriber's interests in certain
product or service categories (e.g., automobiles/sports or travel/Europe). The third-party advertising firm can then display advertisements that are more likely to
be related to a subscriber's interests. It should be noted that you will not receive any more ads than you would otherwise receive, nor will the targeted online ads
you receive be any more intrusive than the standard online ads you would otherwise receive. It should also be noted that these targeted online advertisements
are based on the subscriber's anonymous online surfing behavior, and no personally identifying information is collected or used to deliver these advertisements.

CenturyTel's High-Speed Internet subscribers who choose not to receive targeted online advertisements can opt out at any time by clicking here
or visiting http://www.nebuad.com/privacy/optout.php. The opt out is accomplished through the placement of an opt out cookie and applies only to the
computer and browser through which the opt out selection was made. If, after opting out, you obtain a new computer, use a different browser, or delete the opt
out cookie, you must complete the opt out process again in order to maintain your opt out status. If you choose to opt out, you will continue to receive online
advertisements; however, these advertisements will likely be less relevant to your interests.

The post stream reports that CenturyTel is sending out the following email text when queried about NebuAd:

CenturyTel is not currently using online behavioral advertising tools in any of its markets, and we are delaying our plans to move forward with the deployment of online behavioral advertising services - either through NebuAd or any other vendor - at this time. CenturyTel is delaying its implementation plans so that Congress can spend additional time addressing the privacy issues and policies associated with online behavioral advertising.

CenturyTel highly values our customers' personal privacy, and we are committed to protecting our customers' personal information. More detailed information about CenturyTel's data collection and use practices can be obtained by reviewing our Privacy Policy at »www.centurytel.com/Pages/PrivacyPolicy/.

MediaPost reports that Embarq has also dropped its relationship with NebuAd.

NebuAd issued the following statement from CEO Bob Dykes, according to the media Post article:

"We support CenturyTel's decision to delay its implementation plans so that Congress can spend additional time addressing the privacy issues and policies associated with online behavioral advertising," Dykes said. "NebuAd and its ISP partners are actively working together to refine a rollout plan tailored for each ISP that continues to set the standard for privacy protection in advertising online to consumers. NebuAd looks forward to a continued open dialogue with legislators, regulators, and the advocacy community."

Can't be fun to be working in PR for NebuAd at the moment. This is a company that needs a real PR plan, not this sort of reactive approach.They've got a lot of VC money, but the burn rate for a hardware and software solution that is losing partners must be quite high.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.