AT&T Violates BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division Procedures

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division today determined that AT&T Services, Inc. violated Section 2.1(I) of the National Advertising Division (NAD)/National Advertising Review Board (NARB) Procedures for the U.S. advertising industry's process of self-regulation by issuing a press release and video advertisement that use the NAD process and its findings for promotional purposes.

NAD has demanded that AT&T immediately remove such violative promotional materials and cease all future dissemination.

The NAD Procedures specifically state that:
2.1(I)(2) By participating in an NAD or NARB proceeding, the parties agree...

(b) not to mischaracterize any decision, abstract, or press release issued or use and/or disseminate such decision, abstract or press release for advertising and/or promotional purposes."

In direct violation of this, AT&T issued a press release and is running an ad making representations regarding the alleged results of a competitor's participation in BBB National Program's advertising industry self-regulatory process.

The integrity and success of the self-regulatory forum hinges on the voluntary agreement of participants in an NAD proceeding to abide by the rules set forth in the BBB National Programs' Procedures. As a voluntary process, fair dealing on the part of the parties is essential and requires adherence to both the letter and the spirit of the process.

AT&T's violation of its agreement under the Procedures and its misuse of NAD's decisions for promotional purposes undermines NAD's mission to promote truth and accuracy of advertising claims and foster consumer trust in the marketplace.

Access the NAD/NARB Procedures.

All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, this release may not be used for promotional purposes.

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About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than 20 globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create fair competition for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and create fair competition for business.  

 

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SOURCE BBB National Programs