Oct. 18, 2011 - Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

I'm going to assume that anyone reading this has read the 2011 IDX PAG Report (password protected on Realtor.org). It's not clear that I'm allowed to re-print the report. I have four main comments:

1. There's no surprise on the franchise rule – the recommendation is to rescind the previous inclusion of franchises under IDX rules. Thank goodness. That had opened the door to IDX data feeds to other non-participants, which is non-optimal. This recommendation, if adopted, fixes that problem at least.

2. Social media is handled generally by adding "and on others' websites where displays are controlled by participants" to rules regarding the participants own website; also "participants must give the MLS access to social media sites used by participants." This makes sense to me, though MLSs are obviously going to want members to register those other sites with the MLS for compliance purposes. This could result in a much higher compliance burden for the MLS. There will be other emerging questions, such as how comments on social media that includes listings are dealt with, especially where there has been seller "opt-out" of commentary.

3. RSS is mistakenly treated as a type of display. It is actually a mechanism for the transport of structured data, more similar to RETS - but unlike RETS, RSS does not require authentication.  If the PAG recommendation is adopted, RSS would be covered by policy, and MLSs are supposed to be given access to it for compliance purposes, yet there are no specific rules for its use, or what constitutes misuse, described. Theoretically, under this rule, it looks to me like I could provide the whole MLS database via RSS with no authentication, in XML format for re-compilation for other purposes. I hope that sanity prevails and that RSS is struck from the policy before adoption and that a goal is set to create a smart RSS policy recommendation for midyear.

4. "Apps" are not covered by policy. This is a gap that needs to be addressed in future policy ASAP.
 

Oct. 18, 2011 - RE: Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

So Matt, I agree that RSS is a whole different animal and really needs to be vetted separately and in more detail if its allowed at all. For now it should be removed from the policy. Also what do you think a policy for APPS would read like?  An app could be a simple public search, or it could be a hotsheet of new waterfront properties....its not unlike IDX but it is electronic display. So what's the diff?

Oct. 18, 2011 - RE: Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

Ron, yes - I also believe that RSS should be removed unless the PAG is prepared to create rules around it "tout de suite" to provide time for consideration and commentary etc. prior to adoption.

As for apps, frankly I haven't given them full consideration. We need to brainstorm ways, if any, in which apps could be used that would go outside the spirit of IDX and write policy that accounts for it. Obviously, apps could create another significant burden on MLSs for compliance. Ron, are you set up to evaluate the compliance of mobile apps on all platforms? What security standards would be reasonable, and are you prepared to audit that compliance as well?

Oct. 19, 2011 - RE: Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

Matt, we have been working with brokers who are technologically advanced in wanting to do creative things with listing data. So to answer your question we are as prepared as can be. We do have devices that work in the Apple/Iphone/MAC environment as well as Android and Windows....so we think we have the bases covered. We require in our agreements that every use of data be recorded as part of the agreement and yes the Participant is the one we hold responsible... From an auditing standpoint we would require the same level of access as any other application VOW, CMA etc    as far as security goes we don't monitor every site or application but when a member complains we delve into the pontential violation with full force.  At a minimum we require a login name, password and valid email address. Of course this isn't the best security but that's about all we can do. I'm sure vendors have better security options but the cost probably outweighs the need. As always thanks for your insight!

Oct. 19, 2011 - RE: Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

Good stuff, Ron. Your MLS has always stayed on top of compliance. Still, I think that as we expand the scope of where the data goes, compliance is going to get much trickier.

Jan. 4, 2012 - RE: Comments on the new IDX PAG Recommendation

I beleive comlaince is going to become a pain down the road.

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