Slashdot Mirror
Google Will Ban All Cryptocurrency-related Advertising (cnbc.com)
Google is cracking down on cryptocurrency-related advertising. From a report: The company is updating its financial services-related ad policies to ban any advertising about cryptocurrency-related content, including initial coin offerings (ICOs), wallets, and trading advice, Google's director of sustainable ads, Scott Spencer, told CNBC. That means that even companies with legitimate cryptocurrency offerings won't be allowed to serve ads through any of Google's ad products, which place advertising on its own sites as well as third-party websites. This update will go into effect in June 2018, according to a company post. "We don't have a crystal ball to know where the future is going to go with cryptocurrencies, but we've seen enough consumer harm or potential for consumer harm that it's an area that we want to approach with extreme caution," Scott said.
"... but we've seen enough consumer harm or potential for consumer harm that it's an area that we want to approach with extreme caution,
I would like Google to tell us whether they have seen any customer benefit at all.
Or Slashdotters can tell us: Anyone know of any benefit related to cryptocurrencies?
Seriously, can they please just be a carrier of information again rather than policing the entire web already. YouTube already requires you have a childrenâ(TM)s show or you get demonetized, now they decide what is risky for you. They need to stop assuming everyone online has an IQ of 5 and let people think for themselves.
They are probably acting on behalf of the US government. This sounds really weasel-like. If they were serious about consumer harm there should be an announcement like this twice a day. Most scams don't get any attention.
I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
Sanitizing content is the digital equivalent of burning books.
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