Gaorong Capital

Digital Media’s Troubling Cognitive Dissonance About Identity And Privacy

Data-Driven Thinking, written by Justin Scarborough, Programmatic Media Director at PMG, examines the digital media industry's struggle with identity and privacy. Scarborough argues that despite ongoing discussions of automation, AI, and talent, there is little practical progress to prepare for a post-cookie world that could be heavily regulated. A key point is the lack of industry consensus, which hampers momentum as state privacy laws proliferate and the industry contends with potential fragmentation. The piece notes active coalitions such as DigiTrust and the Advertising ID Consortium, with the IAB taking a leading coordinating role. It also cites the Government Accountability Office’s recommendation of a GDPR-style privacy law and suggests Google and Facebook have resources to navigate the transition, while urging the broader industry to align. The author concludes by calling for education and consensus to address evolving data collection and usage practices.