LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning sent a letter Tuesday to Google that expressed his concern related to the company's internet safety and advertising policies.
The letter, which was co-signed by Bruning and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, addresses Google advertising revenue received from potentially dangerous and illegal content online.
"Google stands to make money from ads running in conjunction with instructional videos on everything from illegally purchasing prescription drugs and making fraudulent passports to promoting human trafficking and terrorist propaganda," Bruning said. "I'm deeply disappointed with Google's lackadaisical attitude toward internet safety and consumer protection. The company should be held accountable for profiting from a platform that perpetuates criminal activity."
Last week, issues related to YouTube were discussed in Boston at the summer meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General. During a presentation led by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, attorneys general were shown screenshots from YouTube videos that included Google advertisements.
The video screenshots allegedly captured images related to downloading pirated content, promoting sex clubs and buying potentially dangerous drugs like Percocet and oxycontin without a prescription.
"I appreciate attorney general Hood for placing this issue front and center at our national meeting," Bruning said. "I intend to get answers on behalf of Nebraskans."
Google representatives received an invitation to the NAAG meeting but did not attend.
AGs send letter to Google about internet safety and advertising policies
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