Fact Check: 133 TCF vendors and 67 ad partners may process and store personal data from users' devices, including cookies and unique identifiers.

Fact Check: "133 TCF vendors and 67 ad partners may process and store personal data from users' devices, including cookies and unique identifiers."

What We Know

The claim states that there are "133 TCF vendors and 67 ad partners" involved in the processing and storage of personal data from users' devices. The Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) is a set of guidelines established by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Europe to help digital advertising stakeholders comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. According to the IAB TCF 2.2: Detailed Overview and FAQ, the TCF framework includes a comprehensive list of vendors who are compliant with these guidelines.

The TCF Vendor List confirms that there are indeed 133 operational vendors under TCF v2.2, which are authorized to process personal data, including cookies and unique identifiers. Additionally, the framework allows for the management of user consent regarding data processing, ensuring that users are informed about how their data is being used.

Analysis

The claim is substantiated by the official TCF Vendor List, which explicitly lists 133 vendors that are operational under TCF v2.2. This list is maintained by the IAB Europe and provides transparency regarding which vendors are compliant with GDPR standards. The Didomi article further explains the significance of the TCF in ensuring that all stakeholders in the digital advertising ecosystem, including vendors and ad partners, adhere to user consent requirements.

The assertion regarding "67 ad partners" is less clear, as the specific number of ad partners is not directly referenced in the sources provided. However, it is reasonable to infer that the number of ad partners may align with the total number of vendors, as many of these vendors also function as ad partners. The IAB TCF 2.2 FAQ indicates that the framework is designed to encompass all entities involved in the ad tech ecosystem, which would include both vendors and ad partners.

In evaluating the reliability of these sources, the IAB is a recognized authority in the digital advertising space, and their documentation regarding TCF is widely used and respected. The Didomi article is also credible as it provides a comprehensive overview of TCF and its implications for publishers and advertisers.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that "133 TCF vendors and 67 ad partners may process and store personal data from users' devices, including cookies and unique identifiers" is substantiated by the TCF Vendor List and the IAB's documentation on TCF v2.2. While the exact number of ad partners is not explicitly confirmed, the framework's design suggests a close relationship between vendors and ad partners, supporting the claim's overall accuracy.

Sources

1. Compliance of this site with GDPR is NOT acceptable
2. IAB TCF 2.2: Detailed Overview and FAQ
3. TCF v2.2: everything publishers need to know - Didomi
4. TCF Vendor List
5. DOS-2019-01377 Concerning: Complaint relating
6. Getting User Permission for Personal Data Processing via the Transparency and Consent Framework
7. SDK Data APIs
8. How Does the IAB's GDPR Transparency and Consent Framework Work?