Technology / Internet
Google profiting from ads for illegal products
10 Jan 2012 at 04:22hrs | Views
The BBC on Tuesday revealed that the online adverting giant, Google is profiting from ads for illegal products generated by its flagship automated advertising system.
According to BBC the ads include unofficial London 2012 Olympics ticket resellers, as well as cannabis and fake ID card sellers.
It is illegal to sell Olympic tickets on the open market without permission from the correct authorities.
Google subsequently took down the ads after it became aware of them.
One company benefiting from ads on Google's AdWords service was LiveOlympicTickets, which is not an officially recognised ticket reseller.
It managed to become Google's top sponsored link for tickets,
Even the Metropolitan Police said it was aware of LiveOlympicTickets and that the company was breaking the law.
However, the company is not based in the UK, meaning it could be difficult to prosecute.
"We have a set of policies covering which ads can and cannot show on Google. These policies and guidelines are enforced by both automated systems and human beings," Google said.
"When we are informed of ads which break our policies, we investigate and remove them if appropriate... Our aim is to create a simple and efficient way for legitimate businesses to promote and sell their goods and services whilst protecting them and consumers from illicit activity."
Google hasn't had an easy ride with AdWords, even though advertising provides the company with most of its revenue.
In August, it agreed to give up $500 million (£324 million) in revenue for publishing ads from Canadian pharmacies selling illegal drugs to US consumers.
Social network Google+ has also provided cyber criminals with another avenue to try out their nefarious tactics. In July, a host of fake Google+ invitations were sent out, pointing recipients to the Canadian Family Pharmacy.
According to BBC the ads include unofficial London 2012 Olympics ticket resellers, as well as cannabis and fake ID card sellers.
It is illegal to sell Olympic tickets on the open market without permission from the correct authorities.
Google subsequently took down the ads after it became aware of them.
One company benefiting from ads on Google's AdWords service was LiveOlympicTickets, which is not an officially recognised ticket reseller.
It managed to become Google's top sponsored link for tickets,
However, the company is not based in the UK, meaning it could be difficult to prosecute.
"We have a set of policies covering which ads can and cannot show on Google. These policies and guidelines are enforced by both automated systems and human beings," Google said.
"When we are informed of ads which break our policies, we investigate and remove them if appropriate... Our aim is to create a simple and efficient way for legitimate businesses to promote and sell their goods and services whilst protecting them and consumers from illicit activity."
Google hasn't had an easy ride with AdWords, even though advertising provides the company with most of its revenue.
In August, it agreed to give up $500 million (£324 million) in revenue for publishing ads from Canadian pharmacies selling illegal drugs to US consumers.
Social network Google+ has also provided cyber criminals with another avenue to try out their nefarious tactics. In July, a host of fake Google+ invitations were sent out, pointing recipients to the Canadian Family Pharmacy.
Source - BBC
