OTA - Membership - Why Join OTA?

ACCESS EXPOSURE RECOGNITION

Membership Application Word Doc (44 KB) PDF (366 KB) (Updated 5/18/10)

For more information please email Nancy Logan, Director of Membership & Programming

Why Join OTA?

OTA’s mission is to create and promote business practices and technologies to enhance online trust and the vitality of ecommerce and online services. Formed in late 2004 to help combat email deception and online abuse, today OTA is a global non-profit organization representing the Internet ecosystem. OTA goals include supporting user choice and controls, protection of critical infrastructure, privacy and data governance, along with the promotion of interactive marketing best practices, balanced legislation and self-governance. OTA pillars include:

Holistic Approach to Problem Solving - At the core of OTA’s mission is the need to look not only at technology, but also the business practices and operational considerations encompassing the user end-to-end trust experience. OTA brings together subject matter experts in technology, IT, security, operations, interactive marketing, privacy and public policy to create and publish guidelines and prescriptive advice.

Public Policy & Advocacy – OTA participates actively in public policy and is a member of several governmental task forces. Through our balanced approach and members’ subject matter expertise, OTA is a trusted advisor. OTA staff works closely with the Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Commerce, US Department of Treasury, the White House and members of Congress. Through our international network and members we contribute to public policy and best practices worldwide.

Global Ecosystem & Collaboration – Open and collaborative relationships with business, industry, government and non-governmental agencies are paramount to addressing online threats and online trust. OTA promotes collaboration and transparency with meetings, committees and discussions open to all OTA members. Our structure provides the assurance we are not-beholden to any one segment or special interest group. Supporting the commitment towards collaboration, OTA and its staff are members with liaisons in leading organizations including the Anti-Phishing Working Group, (APWG), Direct Marketing Association (DMA), Email Experience Council, (eec), Email Service Provider Coalition (ESPC), eco, The German Internet Association, Digital PhishNet, Future of Privacy Forum, InfraGard, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Singapore Direct Marketing Association, US Chamber of Commerce and the London Action Plan (LAP).

Commitment to Evolving Platforms, Technologies, Standards & Services – OTA strives to develop practices, polices and technical solutions which look beyond existing platforms anticipating challenges and potential threats in evolving services and platforms including mobile, geo-location, SAAS and cloud services. Demonstrating our commitment, we strive to adopt the best practices that we advocate. OTA has been an early adopter of outbound email authentication, implementation of EV SSL Certificates and a user centric privacy and data sharing policy.

Accountability, Reporting & Recognition – Supporting the goal of driving adoption of best practices, accountability and transparency, OTA publishes industry and business progress reports tracking adoption and highlighting companies who have implemented best practices. By identifying “North Stars” and shining the spotlight on those companies most committed to online safety it is our goal other organizations will follow their lead. The annual OTA Online Trust Awards and progress reports are examples of these efforts recognizing industry, business and technology leadership.

More information on these efforts may be found at https://otalliance.org/pillars.html. To join OTA download a membership application or call +1 425-455-7400

New Category for Companies with 10 or fewer employees - Only $1,500
Limited to companies with revenues less than $250,000 and in existence for 3 years or less

OTA invites all organizations and stakeholders committed to improving online safety and the vitality and utility of email and ecommerce to join. Member status is limited to five classes of members; (a) Business brands including but not limited to financial institutions, interactive marketers, online retailers and ecommerce businesses), (b) Network infrastructure providers, including but not limited to ISPs, Email Mail box providers, registrars and Hosters), (c) Members of the law enforcement, governmental agencies & NGOs, (non-governmental industry and business organizations), (d) Solutions and technology providers, (e) Interactive marketers and their agencies and others in related fields who are expressly appointed, under reasonable and non-discriminatory criteria, to become Members by the Board of Directors of OTA. In addition industry professionals may apply to the Board of Directors for Professional Memberships, representing their past contributions to OTA and ongoing commitments to enhancing online trust.

All applications are subject to review by OTA. OTA reserves the right to deny membership upon review of applicant's industry reputation, email practices, privacy policies, past legal actions, abuse complaints and business practices set forth by OTA.

Steering Committee membership is limited up to 30 member companies in addition to the Board of Director companies, with no more than eight seats of the Steering Committee comprised of any one of the member classifications listed above. Membership fees are waived for pre-approved government agencies, NGOs and non-profit organizations providing respective level of memberships to OTA. Students may apply for membership fee waiver (see attached membership forms).

Working Committees & Chairs More>

Revised June 21, 2010