Google Ads Are a Free Speech Issue

WebHostingGuy writes "A US Federal Court recently ruled that ads displayed by search engines are protected as free speech. In the case at issue, Yahoo!, Google, and Microsoft were sued by an individual demanding under the 14th Amendment that the search engines display his advertisements concerning fraud in North Carolina. The Court flatly stated that the search engines were exercising their First Amendment right of free speech in deciding what ads they want to display."

Comments

How far does 'Free Speech' extend in advertising

[jeevesbond]

Surely there has to be some distinction between 'Free Speech' and blatantly lying in advertising (what we in the UK call false advertising).

Is there an equivalent rule in the US, or can any company invent any old rubbish about their product and have the lies protected by 'Free Speech'? Obviously there's more to this case than that, but isn't the judge setting a dangerous precedent?

Get ready for 'there's no such thing as Climate Change' adverts sponsored by Smogmaker Industries, followed by: 'Of course smoking is good for you!'