[New York] - Open MIC, a shareholder advocacy group focused on promoting corporate accountability, has submitted a shareholder resolution to The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), for consideration at its 2023 annual meeting, concerning Acxiom, an IPG subsidiary, which is one of the largest data brokers in the world. The resolution demands greater transparency and disclosure on the company's data collection practices in light of last year’s Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision which overturned Roe vs. Wade.
The landmark ruling heightened concerns over the potential for law enforcement agencies to request sensitive personal data from companies like Acxiom for the purpose of criminalizing reproductive health. As a data broker, Acxiom collects, aggregates, and sells consumer information to a wide range of clients, including advertisers, political campaigns, and other organizations.
Acxiom's data practices are a matter of public concern, especially in the wake of the Roe vs. Wade decision," said Michael Connor, Executive Director of Open MIC. "Access to reproductive healthcare is an internationally-recognized human right, and companies that help law enforcement to infringe on that right risk severe financial and reputational damage. We hope that Acxiom will work with us to ensure its data collection practices are aligned with the values and expectations of its shareholders."
Acxiom has personal data of over 2.5 billion customers worldwide. This data could be accessed by law enforcement without consumer consent. The Open MIC resolution asks Acxiom to complete a public report to provide transparency about their policies regarding government data requests, and to assess the feasibility of reducing the risks of abortion-related requests by expanding consumer privacy protections.
Open MIC has a long history of advocating for openness, equity, privacy and diversity in the media and technology sectors. The organization has successfully submitted shareholder resolutions to a number of leading companies, including Facebook, Home Depot, and Wells Fargo.
The resolution will be put forward for shareholders for a vote at the Annual General Meeting in May. For more information on Open MIC and its shareholder advocacy work, please visit www.openmic.org.
UPDATE 27 FEB 2023: In response to press questions, a spokesperson for Acxiom has indicated that the company does not collect “personally identifiable information that could be used by law enforcement for abortion-related prosecutions.”
“It’s encouraging that Acxiom is now beginning to speak publicly about its policies regarding reproductive health data,” said Dana Floberg, Advocacy Director of Open MIC. “Investors and consumers still need greater transparency, however. As the shareholder resolution proposes, a full report would provide a comprehensive assessment of abortion-related data risks and ensure that all public stakeholders are fully informed.”
For more information:
Michael Connor
Executive Director, Open MIC
mconnor@openmic.org
Dana Floberg
Advocacy Director, Open MIC
dfloberg@openmic.org