Google, YouTube Boycott Spreads As More Companies Joining The League; Know What Is It?
Google and YouTube are facing anger from major advertisers as their advertisements are appearing alongside the contents that support hate and terrorism. Though it started in U.K., now it is reported that even U.S. brands are pulling out their ads from the platforms of the search giant as fears that hate groups and terrorist organizations will take advantage of the platform.
The latest developments show that Verizon, AT&T, GSK and Enterprise Holdings, Johnson & Johnson, etc. have boycotted the firm's ad platform. It was last week that London-based The Times reported that advertisements of major brands were spotted with hate mongers, anti-Semites, pornographers, and white supremacists videos or near their websites. Interestingly, an ad of Sandals Resorts, a luxury holiday operator appeared with a video supporting al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabaab. Even John Lewis, Disney, and Waitrose ads were placed before the videos promoting white nationalists and anti-homophobia groups.
Initially, the U.K. based brands started boycotting Google platforms and many brands including HSBC, L'Oreal, BBC, RBS, the Guardian newspaper, Audi, Volkswagen, Tesco, Lloyd's of London, Marks & Spencer. Even the British government joined the chain and pulled its ads from the search giant. According to the latest report, there are at least 250 firms that boycotted the search engine's advertising platform. Though the AdSense revenues, which also has the option to place ads on the third-party sites are being hit by the recent developments, the AdWords did not find any setback until now as it only targets advertisements within the Google platform.
Eric Schmidt, the Executive Chairman of Alphabet, tried to control the situation and he responded to FOX Business Network that Google has made more stringent measures on policies and started a close watch on ads. When asked whether the ads will be seen next to or along with any objectionable content, he responded that they can't guarantee it but they are assuring the public that it "can be pretty close."
