---
title: "Pixalate Week in Review: November 21, 2018"
description: Pixalate reviews this week's news in the programmatic ad fraud space. Find the most critical ad tech and privacy news from 17-21 November 2018.
---

[Pixalate Blog ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog)

# [Pixalate Week in Review: November 21, 2018](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/programmatic-ad-fraud-news-week-in-review-november-21-2018)

 Written by [Tyler Loechner](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/author/tyler-loechner) | Nov 21, 2018 2:45:31 PM

This week's review of ad fraud and quality in the digital advertising space.

### **1. OTT ad fraud is a growing threat you need to know more about**

Over-the-top (OTT) audiences are at an all-time high and climbing, with over 80% of U.S. households now equipped with OTT devices. Traffic volumes are increasing at double-digit rates and new OTT app platforms pop-up almost daily as more consumers “cut the cord.”

In this post, Pixalate, the advertising industry’s first [MRC-accredited solution](https://blog.pixalate.com/mrc-accreditation-ott-invalid-traffic-detection-filtration) for the detection and filtration of invalid traffic for OTT video ads, answers key questions about OTT advertising.

[Learn more](https://www.pixalate.com/what-is-ott-connected-tv-ad-fraud).

### **2. What is OTT, and how is it different from video? **

****

OTT stands for over-the-top, initially named in reference to devices that go “over” a cable box to give the user access to TV content. In OTT channels, content is delivered via an internet connection rather than through a traditional cable/broadcast provider.

In this post, Pixalate defines [OTT content, OTT devices, and video](https://www.pixalate.com/what-is-ott-connected-tv-video) — and explains how all of these puzzle pieces fit together. 

### **3. RhythmOne announces partnership with Pixalate for OTT ad fraud prevention**

 

RhythmOne plc, a global advertising technology company, today announced that it has formed an early, collaborative partnership with Pixalate, Inc. regarding its newly Media Ratings Council, Inc. (MRC) accredited over-the-top (OTT) invalid traffic (IVT) detection and filtration solution.

[Learn more](https://www.pixalate.com/rhythmone-partnership-ott-ad-fraud-detection-filtration-mrc-accreditation) about the partnership.

### **4. Russian hacker, allegedly behind ad fraud scheme, arrested**

"Bulgarian police have arrested a supposed Russian hacker at the request of US authorities on charges of committing advertising fraud of over $7 million," reported [ZDNet](https://www.zdnet.com/article/russian-hacker-arrested-in-bulgaria-for-ad-fraud-of-over-7-million/). "Bulgarian authorities apprehended Zhukov on November 6 based on an international arrest warrant issued by the US. Details about Zhukov's alleged crimes are still under seal, pending his extradition and arraignment in a US court," the article noted.

### **5. Inside the world of app install fraud**

"eMarketer estimates that $7.1 billion will be spent on mobile app install ads in 2018, up from $6.5 billion last year," wrote [eMarketer](https://content-na1.emarketer.com/is-app-install-fraud-on-the-rise). "App-install fraud refers to the practice where a company falsely gets credit for getting a user to download an app." eMarketer asked several industry insiders for their opinions on the state of mobile app install fraud. Is it on the rise?

*Sign up for our blog to stay updated with new stats, trends, and analysis of digital ad fraud.*

[View full post](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/programmatic-ad-fraud-news-week-in-review-november-21-2018)

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