IAB moves to strengthen privacy compliance across digital ads
The Interactive Advertising Bureau has introduced the IAB Authorized Assessor Program, an initiative designed to standardize and streamline vendor due diligence for IAB members across the digital advertising ecosystem.
The programme provides a consistent and auditable framework for privacy and risk assessments at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny.
The Technology segment of FTI Consulting has been appointed as the first authorized assessor. Under the programme, FTI Technology is licensed to conduct vendor due diligence using the IAB Diligence Platform, powered by SafeGuard Privacy, combining advisory expertise with a standardised technology-based process.
Responding to rising regulatory pressure
The launch comes as the industry adjusts to tighter privacy and risk assessment requirements, including the California Privacy Protection Agency’s risk assessment regulation, which took effect on January 1, 2026, alongside its liability shifting provisions. The programme reflects broader efforts to strengthen accountability and trust across the digital advertising supply chain.
Through the Authorised Assessor Program, IAB members gain access to specialized advisory services integrated with the IAB Diligence Platform. The aim is to replace fragmented vendor reviews with a more consistent and documented diligence approach.
How the Authorised Assessor model works
FTI Technology’s role includes reviewing vendor responses submitted through the IAB Diligence Platform and assessing vendor-specific risk using a framework developed in collaboration with each client. The approach is designed to support risk-based privacy decision-making tailored to different business models and partner relationships.
For higher-risk vendors and priority diligence questions, the process includes verification and stress testing of responses to assess potential privacy and compliance risks. This additional layer is intended to support brands, agencies and publishers managing complex partner ecosystems.
Industry collaboration and platform support
SafeGuard Privacy serves as the exclusive technology provider for the IAB Diligence Platform, which is positioned as a standardized and auditable process for vendor diligence. The platform is already used by a range of digital advertising stakeholders seeking to operationalise privacy compliance at scale.
Michael Hahn, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Interactive Advertising Bureau: "Demand for global data privacy and compliance consulting and more transparent, smart, and auditable vendor due diligence has become a top compliance priority in recent years. By pairing FTI Technology’s expertise with the IAB Diligence Platform, we are delivering a value proposition of expert resources backed by a standardised, technology-enabled diligence framework that is more scalable than one-off assessments and more consultative than software-only solutions."
FTI Technology works with organisations across the legal and corporate sectors, including all of the world’s top 100 law firms and 90 of the Fortune Global 100 corporations, many of which are also IAB members.
Steve Stein, Senior Managing Director, FTI Technology: "The vendor assessment process for data privacy compliance is often inconsistent and resource-intensive, which can result in overlooked risks. The IAB Diligence Platform addresses the need for standardisation in digital advertising, and the Authorised Assessor Program builds on that foundation by improving efficiency and strengthening privacy compliance across the industry."
Follow Marketing Report on LinkedIn
Subscribe to the Marketing Report Newsletter
Send us your press releases, columns, interviews…
Join Marketing Report in our LinkedIn Groups
