While I was perusing the twitterstream yesterday, @ProfJonathon shared a link to a new web service named CMP.ly. According to the website, it purports to be a “disclosure engine” for everyone online — from bloggers to Agencies.
My first question to ProfJonathon was whether it was recognized by the FTC. Since he was merely sharing a link and was in no way associated with the service, we agreed that it was an interesting intellectual exercise and we each went our separate ways. Then, I got a response from @cmply:
@ProfJonathan @mglickman — Good question. Although the FTC cannot endorse a particular solution we met and reviewed our system. DM for info.
Naturally, I DM’d (DMed?) the @cmply account, offering my email address. The response I received, not 2 hours later, was informative and comprehensive from Tom Chernaik, the principal of CMP.ly’s parent — DigComm. Tom described how DigComm involved the FTC in the design of the CMP.ly service, so that — when implemented properly — it meets and exceeds the FTC’s new guidelines. He also invited further questions and discussion.
I have nothing to do with DigComm or CMP.ly. I don’t even consider myself enough of a blogger to make use of a disclosure engine such as CMP.ly. If I were looking for an answer to disclosure requirements, however, the responsiveness and openness of those in charge of CMP.ly would definitely put my mind at ease.
