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Google Will Ban All Cryptocurrency-related Advertising (cnbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the taking-a-stand dept.

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.

12 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. Let Google tell us about the other side too... by bogaboga · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "... 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?

    1. Re:Let Google tell us about the other side too... by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 4, Funny

      I would like Google to tell us whether they have seen any customer benefit at all.

      Beat that title:

      "Google's director of sustainable ads"

      I'm guessing that title gets him to the front of the line at restaurant queues in Silicon Valley:

      "I'm sorry, Madonna, but we have to serve the VIP Director of Sustainable Ads first."

      Actually, I would rather have a beer with Google's Director of Unsustainable Ads. He's probably more amusing and more fun at parties.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    2. Re:Let Google tell us about the other side too... by mwvdlee · · Score: 2

      There's always somebody at the top of each pyramid scheme. Plenty of benefits there.

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      Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
    3. Re:Let Google tell us about the other side too... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 2

      I personally don't recall having seen any ads for Cryptocurrency, but there again I don't pay attention to ads. When an app on my phone plays a video I always turn my phone away from my face to not watch it... I'd rather watch a wall.

      That said, don't see the harm in ads for Cryptocurrency. One's that mine from the ad... now those are bad.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    4. Re:Let Google tell us about the other side too... by bickerdyke · · Score: 2

      Actually, I would rather have a beer with Google's Director of Unsustainable Ads. He's probably more amusing and more fun at parties.

      May I suggest Google's former Director of Search Quality? who else could give the Job Title of "porn cookie guy"....

      --
      bickerdyke
    5. Re:Let Google tell us about the other side too... by gnick · · Score: 3

      top of each pyramid

      Pump & dump for cryptocurrency is organized, profitable, and mostly legal. John Oliver did a good piece on cryptocurrencies over the weekend that touches on this and other misbehavior.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  2. Team Google World Police by SmaryJerry · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  3. Prediction by Teppy · · Score: 5, Funny

    I take this to mean that Google will release their own cryptocurrency in about 6 months.

  4. Re:Oh, darn... by datavirtue · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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
  5. Fahrenheit 0b111000011 by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sanitizing content is the digital equivalent of burning books.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:Fahrenheit 0b111000011 by bickerdyke · · Score: 2

      It's about ads, not content. That's the difference.

      No one wants books to be burnt or otherwise destroyed, as you never know if you may need it and want to get your hands on it.

      Ads on the other hands... like garbage, that should be burnt. And if I have it thrown at me against my will, it better should be sanitized.

      --
      bickerdyke
  6. Ad Network vs Searches by sqorbit · · Score: 2

    They didn't say they were going to ban or filter searches for info on cryptocurrencies. They just don't want it in the ad network. I don't really see the problem here. The ad network is there business and they need to adjust to what they see is good for business.

    --
    Sent from my TARDIS