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Ad Lightning is an ad quality monitoring platform that scans ad creatives for malware, redirect abuse and policy violations on publisher and SSP inventory.
Ad Lightning is an ad quality, malvertising detection, and policy enforcement platform used by publishers, SSPs, and ad networks. It scans creative payloads for redirects, malware, NSFW content, latency abuses, and policy violations. Detection is primarily server side, simulating real user environments to render ad creatives in sandboxes, although a small number of integrations use a JavaScript verification beacon on the publisher page.
Ad Lightning processes ad creative payloads, the URLs of landing pages, and metadata about the auction (DSP, format, size). When a verification beacon is fired, it may also capture the visitor''s IP address, user agent, and a session identifier for de duplication. It does not build a behavioural profile of website users.
Because the processing is for security and quality monitoring of advertising, legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) is the most common basis. Document the balancing test that compares Ad Lightning''s benefit (preventing malicious ads) with the limited intrusion (IP only collected for verification beacons). Consent under Art. 5(3) ePrivacy is not normally required as no persistent end user cookie is set.
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Ad Lightning is operated from the US by SafeGuard Privacy. Scan logs may be transferred to the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses and the EU, US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.
Sign a DPA with Ad Lightning, document the legitimate interest balancing test, list Ad Lightning in your privacy notice as a security sub processor, and configure short retention for scan logs. Confirm whether the verification beacon is active and disclose it if it captures end user IP addresses.
Alternative ad quality vendors include Confiant, GeoEdge, and Clean.io. Each has similar GDPR profile and relies on legitimate interest for security monitoring.
Websites using Ad Lightning must obtain user consent under GDPR regulations.
DPIA considerations
A DPIA is generally not needed because Ad Lightning targets ad creatives, not user profiles. A review is still recommended when scan logs include user IP and are combined with other data sources.
Sample consent text
We use Ad Lightning to monitor the quality and safety of advertising. The scan typically does not require your consent as it processes ad creatives, not your personal profile.
Third-party domains contacted
adlightning.combeacon.adlightning.comscan.adlightning.comAd Lightning places tracking cookies for advertising — comply with GDPR using FlowConsent.
In typical deployments Ad Lightning does not set persistent end user cookies. The verification beacon may use a short lived in memory session token, not stored across pages.
Generally no. Ad Lightning processes ad creatives, not user profiles, so legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) applies. Disclose the processing in your privacy notice.
Legitimate interest for ad quality and security monitoring. Document the balancing test with the limited intrusion (creative scanning, optional IP via beacon).
Yes, but with limited personal data exposure. SCCs and the EU, US Data Privacy Framework cover the transfer.
Generally no, unless scan logs are combined with other user level data at scale.
Sign a DPA, document legitimate interest, list Ad Lightning as a security sub processor in your privacy notice, minimise scan log retention.
Confiant, GeoEdge, Clean.io. Same legal profile.
Usually no entry is needed because no persistent cookies are set. Add a security disclosure in your privacy notice instead.