Google was punished for asking a radio host who had not used Pixel 4 to endorse the machine.
CTOnews.com, November 29 (Xinhua) Google and iHeartMedia are reaching a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the attorneys general of seven states because they are suspected of paying radio hosts to endorse Pixel 4 without actually using their cell phones, according to TheVerge. Google is said to have paid more than $2.6 million to iHeartRadio and nearly $2 million to 11 smaller broadcast networks to broadcast fraudulent ads for Pixel 4.
It is reported that for these ads, Google provides scripts for hosts to read on the radio. Some examples include:
The only thing I like is taking perfect pictures at night. With Google Pixel 4, this is easy.
This is my favorite mobile camera, especially in dim light, thanks to night vision mode.
According to a press release from the Federal Trade Commission, for most Pixel 4 ads, hosts did not get Pixel 4 before recording the ads, although iHeartMedia asked for phones before recording in October 2019. IHeartMedia later asked for phones again after Google asked for additional ads in January 2020, while Google ended up sending only five, or one for every recorded ad market. The Federal Trade Commission says nearly 29000 fraudulent ads were broadcast in 2019 and 2020.
As part of the settlement, Google and iHeartMedia will be prohibited from falsifying the experience of their spokesmen. Google cannot distort the experience of "covered products" (including its consumer products), while iHeartMedia cannot distort the experience of "any consumer product or service", and Google and iHeartRadio will pay 9.4 million dollars to the states with which they settle.
"We are pleased to be able to solve this problem," Google spokesman Casta ñ eda said in a statement to The Verge. "We take compliance with advertising laws seriously and have procedures in place to help ensure that we comply with relevant regulations and industry standards." IHeartMedia declined to comment.
CTOnews.com learned that image endorsements in the United States must be "testimonial advertising" and "express warranty", meaning that stars must be the direct beneficiaries and users of the products they endorse, or they will be severely fined. However, except for some luxury goods, it is rare to find celebrity endorsements for everyday products in the United States.
