Some companies like The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD), had a terrible 2025. Its stock fell nearly 70% in 2025, making it among the worst performers in the S&P 500. While many expected a rebound in 2026, that hasn't occurred yet. The stock is also down an additional 16% to start 2026. Shares of the adtech platform are now down nearly 80% from their all-time high. The biggest question surrounding The Trade Desk's stock is whether it's a value play or a value trap. The former can provide a great investment opport ...

Adam Breeden/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeawaysSmart TVs track viewing habits with ACR tech.Collected data fuels billions in targeted ads.Turning off ACR protects privacy but takes effort.Did you know that whenever you turn on your smart TV, you invite an unseen guest to watch it with you?These days, most mainstream TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR), a type of ad-tracking technology that collects data on everything you watch and sends it to a central ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the use of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology in smart TVs, which tracks viewing habits and collects data for targeted advertising [3][12][17] - In 2022, advertisers spent approximately $18.6 billion on smart TV ads, with expectations for continued growth in this area [4] - ACR technology captures up to 7,200 images per hour, providing detailed insights into viewer preferences and personal information [6][17] Group 1: ACR Technology Overview - ACR operates in the background, identifying content displayed on screens by capturing screenshots and cross-referencing them with a media database [5][12] - The technology allows marketers to tailor content recommendations and track the effectiveness of advertisements [7][12] Group 2: Privacy Concerns - There are significant privacy risks associated with ACR, including potential exploitation of sensitive information, which could lead to identity theft [8][18] - Many users are unaware of ACR's presence and find it challenging to opt out due to complex settings [9][12] Group 3: Disabling ACR - The article provides detailed instructions on how to disable ACR on various smart TV brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and TCL [10][11][20] - Disabling ACR may limit some smart features but enhances user privacy [16][18]

Campaign Overview - A large-scale digital campaign is targeting Christians in specific states and Christian colleges [1] - The campaign is described as the "largest Geofencing & targeted Christian Digital Campaign ever" [1] Targeting Methods - The campaign utilizes geofencing technology to track individuals' locations via their phones [1] - Targeted advertising, specifically related to Israel, is being deployed [1] Targeted Locations - The campaign is focusing on individuals in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado [1] - All Christian Colleges are also being targeted [1]

Marketing Strategies - CMOs can leverage AI and technology to refine message targeting [1] - The industry is exploring innovative approaches to reach audiences more effectively [1] Technology Adoption - AI and technology play a crucial role in optimizing marketing communication [1] - The industry emphasizes the importance of staying updated with technological advancements [1]

Marketing Strategies - CMOs can leverage AI and technology to refine message targeting [1] - Industry focuses on utilizing AI to improve marketing effectiveness [1] Technology Application - AI and technology play a crucial role in message personalization [1] - The report highlights the application of technology in marketing [1]

Marketing Strategies - CMOs can leverage AI and technology to refine message targeting [1] Technology Application - AI and technology offer new avenues for message personalization and delivery [1]

Regulatory Scrutiny - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Meta and https://t.co/sRDwTxuIYJ [1] - The investigation concerns deceptive marketing of chatbots as mental health tools [1] Concerns Raised - Child safety is a primary concern in the investigation [1] - Data privacy practices are under scrutiny [1] - Targeted advertising strategies are being examined [1]