As part of the state and federal governments’ stepped up efforts to curb online promotions and sales of illegal drugs and inappropriate content, it is surfaced that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is not doing all that it should, to help the enforcement agencies. While, a dozen numbers of states claim that Google’s response has been found unsatisfying, Mississippi Attorney General, Jim Hood is mainly leading the charge.
A Bloomberg report cited Hood: “What they tell you in a meeting sounds good, but then you go online and check it out, and it’s not true.” The difference between Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s words and actions has forced Hood to plan an issue of the civil investigative demand, which is equivalent to Subpoena to the company. Hood wants Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) to provide each and every single evidence and detail, be it paper or email, as how it screens the digital video and ads and what actions it takes to remove illicit contents and illegal ads. In addition to this, Hood wants to know if Google is intentionally allowing the ads and content on its site and seeking profits from it. Earlier in December, Google was sent out letters from state attorneys to look into the matter, but even after a series of communications and in-person meetings, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) failed to satisfy those queries, forcing Hood to take the next step. In response Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s spokeswoman said: “The company takes users’ safety very seriously. The company is constantly removing illegal ads and any content exploiting children.”
Meanwhile, Google’s internal steps indicate that it removed 350 million bad ads in 2013 as compared to 220 million in 2012. Also, Google shows that the marketing of counterfeit goods has come down from 47% to 82% over the last one year. In the context to illegal pharmacy operations advertisements, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) claims to have removed millions in 2013 alone. In any case, the issue is sensitive, as the FDA has already declared that many of online “Canadian Pharmacies” are fronts for organized crime, which leaves onus on Google to come with answers.
Suggested Articles:
Laziest Countries In the World
Best Countries for Medical Tourism
