This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39325916

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
M&S pulls online ads from Google over extremist content fears M&S pulls online ads from Google over extremist content fears
(about 3 hours later)
Marks and Spencer has become the latest firm to pull its online advertising from Google's platforms over fears it is appearing next to extremist content.Marks and Spencer has become the latest firm to pull its online advertising from Google's platforms over fears it is appearing next to extremist content.
It follows a UK government decision to remove its adverts from YouTube - which is owned by Google - after it emerged they had appeared alongside content from supporters of extremist groups.It follows a UK government decision to remove its adverts from YouTube - which is owned by Google - after it emerged they had appeared alongside content from supporters of extremist groups.
RBS, Lloyds and HSBC also announced similar moves over the weekend.RBS, Lloyds and HSBC also announced similar moves over the weekend.
Google has said it does not always "get it right" and will improve. Google said it was "sorry and would take responsibility for the issues".
"In a very small percentage of cases, ads appear against content that violates our monetisation policies," Ronan Harris, the firm's UK managing director, said on Friday. Speaking at the Advertising Week Europe conference, Matthew Brittin, the firm's European head, said: "I would like to apologise to our partners and advertisers who might have been affected by their ads appearing on controversial content.
"We promptly remove those ads in those instances, but we know we can and must do more." "We take our responsibilities to these industry issues very seriously."
It follows a recent investigation by the Times, which found adverts from a range of well-known firms and organisations had appeared alongside content from supporters of extremist groups on the YouTube video site.It follows a recent investigation by the Times, which found adverts from a range of well-known firms and organisations had appeared alongside content from supporters of extremist groups on the YouTube video site.
An ad appearing alongside a video earns the poster about £6 for every 1,000 clicks it generates, meaning brands may have unwittingly contributed money to extremists.An ad appearing alongside a video earns the poster about £6 for every 1,000 clicks it generates, meaning brands may have unwittingly contributed money to extremists.
The Times claimed that rape apologists, anti-Semites and hate preachers were among those receiving payouts.
Last week, ministers summoned Google for talks at the Cabinet Office after imposing a temporary restriction on the government's own adverts, including for military recruitment and blood donation campaigns.Last week, ministers summoned Google for talks at the Cabinet Office after imposing a temporary restriction on the government's own adverts, including for military recruitment and blood donation campaigns.
Others such as McDonald's, L'Oreal and Audi, as well as the BBC, the Guardian and Channel 4, have suspended their advertising on both Google's search engine and YouTube site.Others such as McDonald's, L'Oreal and Audi, as well as the BBC, the Guardian and Channel 4, have suspended their advertising on both Google's search engine and YouTube site.
'Clearly unacceptable'
Explaining its decision, an M&S spokesperson said: "In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through."Explaining its decision, an M&S spokesperson said: "In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through."
Sky and Vodafone are also considering suspending their ads. A Sky spokesperson said: "It is clearly unacceptable for ads to be appearing alongside inappropriate content and we are talking with Google to understand what they are doing to stop this."Sky and Vodafone are also considering suspending their ads. A Sky spokesperson said: "It is clearly unacceptable for ads to be appearing alongside inappropriate content and we are talking with Google to understand what they are doing to stop this."
Last week, French advertising giant Havas said it had pulled all of its digital ad spending from Google and YouTube in the UK, adding that it was considering a global freeze. Mark Mulligan, a media and technology consultant at Midia, said the complaints "were not new" and showed the internet was "still in its adolescence".
Group M, which is part of the world's biggest advertising firm, WPP, said it was considering whether to follow suit. "When the internet was founded, it was all about doing away with gatekeeper. But now we're facing fake news and inappropriate content and that clashes with business models like Google's which are built on selling advertising."
Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, said: "We have always said Google, Facebook and others are media companies and have the same responsibilities as any other media company. He said Google was likely to weather the storm, but that such incidents would weaken its dominance of the online advertising market.
"They cannot masquerade as technology companies, particularly when they place adverts." "Every incident like this gives Facebook an opportunity to steal a march on Google," he said.