Google facing $500 million fine

[wagerjunction]

I just don't get what's the compensation for? How did accepting illegal ads hurt in any way DOJ.

Well technically it didn't hurt the DOJ. But good governing body that it is, it took upon itself to protect all the poor unsuspecting souls that fell prey to the wicked advertising displayed on Google. And what better way to do that than ask for money!

[bb1web]

Surprised Google is taking it lying down. Where's the free speech angle? They didn't sell illegal drugs, or illegally sell any drugs. Are advertisers to become the police and make sure every advertising body is going about their business in legal fashion?

BS from a govt that it is expected nowadays.

They want to go after someone , go after the ones who did it, not the ones who said I have a space to sell for advertising.

By that logic then any entity which sells ad space to a company which turns out to dirty, is guilty by the association. After all, had the company done enough investigation, they surely would have uncovered the illegal activity. Forget the fact that would involve checking out not only those who did advertise, but also those who applied to advertise. That would be a very expensive and time-consuming endeavor.

[rak]

Well technically it didn't hurt the DOJ. But good governing body that it is, it took upon itself to protect all the poor unsuspecting souls that fell prey to the wicked advertising displayed on Google. And what better way to do that than ask for money!

you mean "And what better way to do that than TAKE money!" - especially when you need it to pay for bail out packages to intuitions who f@#k with peoples lives and future. Need to fund it somehow.. go after tech companies.

[wagerjunction]

you mean "And what better way to do that than TAKE money!" - especially when you need it to pay for bail out packages to intuitions who f@#k with peoples lives and future. Need to fund it somehow.. go after tech companies.

Correct rak... better go straight for the jugular, especially when you know there is blood aplenty.

Surprised Google is taking it lying down. Where's the free speech angle? They didn't sell illegal drugs, or illegally sell any drugs. Are advertisers to become the police and make sure every advertising body is going about their business in legal fashion?

BS from a govt that it is expected nowadays.

They want to go after someone , go after the ones who did it, not the ones who said I have a space to sell for advertising.

By that logic then any entity which sells ad space to a company which turns out to dirty, is guilty by the association. After all, had the company done enough investigation, they surely would have uncovered the illegal activity. Forget the fact that would involve checking out not only those who did advertise, but also those who applied to advertise. That would be a very expensive and time-consuming endeavor.

Spot on! That a load of total in my opinion. But then again, the ones who did it definitely don't have the financial capacity of Google so why bother. Going for the milk-cow is so much easier.

[mancialanham]

Too much even taking into account the position of Google. I doubt others who place such ads have to pay such sum.

[Zoorana]

500m is still a hefty fine, even for Google...

I doubt it's a big hole in the pocket for Google. Given that they're willing to pay, I bet it's nothing to Google. It's like giving away 50cents out of $10 000.

[wagerjunction]

I doubt it's a big hole in the pocket for Google. Given that they're willing to pay, I bet it's nothing to Google. It's like giving away 50cents out of $10 000.

Yeah but still. Call me idealistic but I'd rather this money had gone to a charity rather than to line the (already full) pockets of some individuals.

***sigh***

[grawk]

Google is a giant company but I think that $500 million dollars in fine is a little too overboard. I am not at any liberty to talk about how it should be as I have not seen the liquidated numbers but I think that is a huge amount of money for accepting illegal advertisements. If there is some one to charge, it should have been the one who applied for advertising. It is as simple as don't shoot the messenger.

[bonusbetting]

At least there will be a few less people selling dodgy pharmaceuticals - of course there are many shades of gray but selling fake drugs is a particularly dark one.