ACTION 124

Per the Action 124, here's a proposed First Party definition that I have worked on with Shane and Ted:

A First Party is the entity that owns the Web site or has Control over the Web site the consumer visits. A First Party also includes the owner of a widget, search box or similar service with which a consumer interacts, even if such First Party does not own or have Control over the Web site where the widget or services are displayed to the consumer.

A First Party includes Affiliates of that First Party, but only to the extent that the Affiliate  is (1) an entity that Controls, is Controlled by, or us under common Control with, the First Party; or (2) an entity where the relationship to the First Party is clear to consumers through co-branding or similar means.

A First Party must make reasonable efforts to disclose, in a manner easily discoverable by Users, its ownership or Control of a site or service, such as through branding on the site or service, disclosures in the privacy policy or terms of use linked to that site or service, or ....

Control of an entity means that one entity (1) is under significant common ownership or operational control of the other entity, or (2) has the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the other entity.  In addition, for an entity to be under the Control of another entity and be treated as a First Party under this standard, the entity must also adhere to DNT standard in this specification.


Amy Colando
Senior Attorney, Online Services
Microsoft Corporation
Office: 425.703.6329
Mobile: 206.658.7704