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2mo ago

Google, Amazon, and Ad Verification Firms Face Scrutiny Over Ads on Sites Hosting Child Abuse Content

U.S. Senators demand accountability following reports that ads for major brands and government agencies appeared on websites flagged for hosting illegal material.

Overview

  • A bipartisan investigation led by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal targets Google, Amazon, and ad verification firms over ads placed on websites hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
  • The Adalytics report revealed that ads for global brands, including PepsiCo and Starbucks, as well as U.S. government agencies, appeared on flagged sites since at least 2021.
  • Lawmakers criticized the ad tech industry's reliance on opaque systems and questioned the effectiveness of AI tools in ensuring brand safety and compliance with child protection laws.
  • Google and Amazon have acknowledged the issue and claim to have taken steps to block such websites, but lawmakers demand detailed explanations and policy changes by February 14, 2025.
  • Accreditation bodies like the Media Rating Council and Trustworthy Accountability Group are also under pressure to review their standards and enforcement mechanisms for preventing ad placements on illegal sites.