Program Reaches New Peak of 125 Recertifying Companies Receiving 164 Recertified Seals Across TAG’s Four Program Areas

WASHINGTON, DC – March 12, 2020 – The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG), an advertising industry initiative to fight criminal activity in the digital advertising supply chain, today announced a record number of 2020 recertifications for TAG’s Certified Against Fraud, Certified Against Piracy, Certified Against Malware, and Inventory Quality Guideline (IQG) Programs. The continuing growth in TAG’s seal programs demonstrates the commitment made by leading companies to protecting the digital advertising supply chain. 

Through this year’s recertification process, 125 companies undertook the rigorous process necessary to recertify their compliance and achieve 164 seals, a significant increase from the 100 companies recertifying 137 seals in 2019. Of the recertified seals, more than one in three (34 percent) were awarded via an independent validation process, rather than self-certification, as companies took additional steps to verify their compliance.

“There’s an old joke about a lost tourist in New York who asks a passing musician how to get to Carnegie Hall. Without missing a beat, the musician says, ‘practice, practice, practice,’” said Mike Zaneis, CEO of TAG. “This year’s seal recertifications demonstrate that long-term commitment by TAG members to the fight against criminal activity in digital advertising. With a record number of leading companies participating in TAG programs, we are creating a consistent, unified, and secure framework for digital advertising round the world. Our deep congratulations to all of the companies who have taken the steps necessary to protect our supply chain and build a safer and more transparent digital advertising industry.” 

TAG’s 2020 Seal Recipients receiving recertification included:

“Successful compliance programs rest on the long-term adoption of rigorous standards by a broad range of stakeholders, so I am delighted at the record-breaking number of leading companies around the world who have completed the TAG recertification process,” said Todd Miller, Director of Compliance at TAG. “Every recertification is another link in our proven cross-industry barrier against fraud, piracy, malware, and lack of transparency. These recertifications demonstrate that the leading companies in digital advertising will continue to work together to safeguard our ecosystem.”

In addition to the increase in recertifications, TAG’s programs have also seen significant international growth, including a tripling of the number of companies that have certifications covering their global operations over the last two years.

More information regarding recertified companies is available by searching company name or each company’s unique TAG-ID via the TAG Registry. Additional information includes the specific seals awarded to each company, valid terms for each seal, and whether the seals were based on self-attestation or independent validation.

Additional information about TAG’s programs and the application process for TAG Registration and TAG’s seal programs are available on the TAG website.

About the Trustworthy Accountability Group

The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) is the leading global certification program fighting criminal activity and increasing trust in the digital advertising industry. Created by the industry’s top trade organizations, TAG’s mission is to eliminate fraudulent traffic, combat malware, prevent Internet piracy, and promote greater transparency in digital advertising. TAG advances those initiatives by bringing companies across the digital advertising supply chain together to set the highest standards. TAG is the first and only registered Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) for the digital advertising industry. For more information on TAG, please visit tagtoday.net.