Online advertising is a key enabler of the digital economy and supports a wide range of digital services enjoyed by consumers today. However, as the industry has grown in size and sophistication, concerns over the harmful aspects of online advertising have put the spotlight on the way in which the sector operates. The fast-evolving nature[…]
The omnipresence of digital technology in our daily life, its use and its impact on organisations and individuals, raises ethical questions about its role in our society. These concerns include consent and privacy, security, inclusion and fairness, protection from online harm, transparency and accountability. Notable examples include the Cambridge Analytica scandal and concerns about racial[…]
Sam Wood was seconded to the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports. Sam worked as an economist within DCMS’ Security and Online Harms Directorate to assist with developing the UK policy approach to tackling online harms. His primary role was to develop a quantified impact assessment of the proposed policy approach. This included[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead Online advertising is now the largest advertising medium by expenditure in the UK, exceeding TV and print. In 2019 it accounted for more than £13 billion expenditure in the UK and had a growth rate of 15% year on year. As the online advertising market has grown, concerns around consumer-[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) commissioned Plum Consulting to provide an independent analysis of the structure of the online advertising sector; the movement of data, content and money through the online advertising value chain; and potential harms that can arise from online advertising. This work feeds[…]
Information and communications technology has made substantial contributions to productivity growth, and productivity growth is the only sustainable source of income and leisure growth. The smartphone’s ubiquity and growth in apps means that mobile devices are now the key enablers of this economic and social progress. Europe has done well in terms of mobile-apps. It[…]