UK government yanks YouTube ads amid extremist content concerns

Google's week gets worse as UK government yanks YouTube ads

Carly Page
@CarlyPage_
17 March 2017

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THE UK GOVERNMENT has yanked its advertising from YouTube, over concerns that it have appeared alongside extremist and otherwise "inappropriate" content.

Google is having a bad week. After facing the wrath of British MPs earlier this week, who accused the firm of accusing the firm of making money from "videos peddling hate," the government has announced plans to place a "temporarily hold" on its YouTube adverts - including for military recruitment and blood donations - amid concerns that they are appearing alongside extremist material.

This follows an investigation by the Times which revealed that extremist groups and hate preachers were receiving £6 for every 1,000 views on a YouTube video, while Google is also lining its pockets.

In a statement, a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: "Digital advertising is a cost-effective way for the government to engage millions of people in vital campaigns such as military recruitment and blood donation.

"Google is responsible for ensuring the high standards applied to government advertising are adhered to and that adverts do not appear alongside inappropriate content.

"We have placed a temporary restriction on our YouTube advertising pending reassurances from Google that government messages can be delivered in a safe and appropriate way."

The Cabinet Office spokesperson added that Google has been summoned for discussions to explain how it will deliver "the high quality of service government demands on behalf of the taxpayer."

Google has responded, saying that its policies work as intended "in the vast majority of cases, protecting users and advertisers from harmful or inappropriate content.

"We accept that we don't always get it right, and that sometimes, ads appear where they should not," it continued. "We're committed to doing better, and will make changes to our policies and brand controls for advertisers"

In another blow to the company, the Guardian has also pulled all its advertising from both Google and YouTube after it said a promotion for a membership scheme had been inadvertently placed next to extremist material.

Channel 4 said it has removed all of its advertising from YouTube, saying that it's not satisfied that the video platform is a "safe environment". µ