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M&S pulls online ads from Google over extremist content fears Google apologises after ads appear next to extremist content
(about 1 hour 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. Google's European boss has apologised after adverts from major firms and government agencies appeared next to extremist content on its YouTube site.
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 came after Marks and Spencer became the latest firm to pull its online ads over the issue, joining others such as Audi, RBS and L'Oreal.
RBS, Lloyds and HSBC also announced similar moves over the weekend. Google's European chief, Matthew Brittin, promised to review the firm's policies and strengthen enforcement.
Google said it was "sorry and would take responsibility for the issues". But some questioned the company's commitment to tackling the issue.
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. A recent investigation by the Times found adverts from a range of well-known firms and organisations had appeared alongside content from supporters of extremist groups on YouTube's video site.
"We take our responsibilities to these industry issues very seriously." An advert 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.
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.
The Times said that rape apologists, anti-Semites and hate preachers were among those receiving payouts.The Times said that rape apologists, anti-Semites and hate preachers were among those receiving payouts.
Analysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondentAnalysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent
There are two difficult issues for Google here - spotting videos that are illegal and should be removed from YouTube, and determining which are legal but not suitable for advertising.There are two difficult issues for Google here - spotting videos that are illegal and should be removed from YouTube, and determining which are legal but not suitable for advertising.
Pressed by reporters on whether the firm would employ people to actively hunt down extremist videos, Matt Brittin was evasive, indicating that a combination of smart technology and user alerts to harmful content was a better option.Pressed by reporters on whether the firm would employ people to actively hunt down extremist videos, Matt Brittin was evasive, indicating that a combination of smart technology and user alerts to harmful content was a better option.
But his main challenge will be in providing more clarity to customers when it comes to deciding which videos are "ad-safe".But his main challenge will be in providing more clarity to customers when it comes to deciding which videos are "ad-safe".
Drawing the line won't be easy - as he pointed out, news organisations put a lot of disturbing content online but need to earn money from advertising if they are to continue to invest in journalism.Drawing the line won't be easy - as he pointed out, news organisations put a lot of disturbing content online but need to earn money from advertising if they are to continue to invest in journalism.
Mr Brittin seems confident that by having a thorough look at its policies and showing advertisers how they can control where their messages appear, Google can regain their confidence.Mr Brittin seems confident that by having a thorough look at its policies and showing advertisers how they can control where their messages appear, Google can regain their confidence.
But the company, which insists it's a technology platform not a media business, is finding it ever harder to hold that line.But the company, which insists it's a technology platform not a media business, is finding it ever harder to hold that line.
Media firms face tight regulation - and that is what may be coming Google's way if it doesn't clean up its act.Media firms face tight regulation - and that is what may be coming Google's way if it doesn't clean up its act.
Read Rory's blog in fullRead Rory's blog in full
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. And on Monday M&S joined a growing list of firms to suspend their advertising from both Google's search engine and YouTube site. Others include McDonald's, HSBC, Lloyds, the BBC, Channel 4 and the Guardian.
'Clearly unacceptable' 'Not far enough'
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." Speaking at the Advertising Week Europe conference, Mr Brittin said: "I would like to apologise to our partners and advertisers who might have been affected by their ads appearing on controversial content."
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." He also promised that Google would exert more control over where ads were placed and improve its record for reviewing questionable content. Further details are expected later this week.
Mark Mulligan, a media and technology consultant at Midia, said the complaints "were not new" and showed the internet was "still in its adolescence". However, Labour MP Yvette Cooper told the Guardian the apology had not gone far enough.
"They need to say whether they will be paying back any of that advertising revenue and to answer our questions on what more they are doing to root out extremism or illegal activity on YouTube because they are still failing to do enough to remove illegal or hate-filled content from YouTube."
Brian Wieser, an analyst at the brokerage Pivotal, meanwhile downgraded Google's stock on Monday, saying the scandal would curtail its profits this year.
"Alphabet's Google is facing a serious issue in the UK with brand safety issues, which has global repercussions," he wrote in an analyst note.
Mark Mulligan, a media and technology consultant at Midia, told the BBC that the complaints against Google "were not new" and showed the internet was "still in its adolescence".
"When the internet was founded, it was all about doing away with the 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.""When the internet was founded, it was all about doing away with the 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."
He said Google was likely to weather the storm, but that such incidents would weaken its dominance of the online advertising market.He said Google was likely to weather the storm, but that such incidents would weaken its dominance of the online advertising market.
"Every incident like this gives Facebook an opportunity to steal a march on Google," he said."Every incident like this gives Facebook an opportunity to steal a march on Google," he said.