Google representatives gave ad buyers tips on how they could reach teens, even though the company bars targeted advertisements to users under the age of 18 based on their demographics, according to a report from Adweek.
Three unnamed ad buyers told Adweek that Google sales reps suggested they might be able to reach teens by targeting a group of “unknown” users, whose “age, gender, parental status, or household income” Google doesn’t know. Adweek said it also reviewed written documents backing up the sources’ claims. A Google spokesperson told Adweek that the unknown category can include users who aren’t signed in to their accounts or who’ve turned off personalized ad targeting.
Google’s stated policy is to “block ad targeting based on the age, gender, or interests of people under 18.” The Adweek story is yet another example of Google reportedly helping ad buyers target teens through the use of its unknown user category, after the Financial Times recently reported on a similar situation.
Microsoft won’t even let you setup Windows now without an online account, unless you modify the installer or enter the terminal during installation. I don’t like Google but for God’s sake the issue isn’t just with Google. We need better laws and regulations in the US. Going after Google when other companies are just as corrupt or worse solves nothing. It just paves the way for worse actors. You can’t even remove your Microsoft Store apps once they’ve been downloaded from your library. At least with Google I can remove that and manage lots of privacy settings. Google isn’t an angel but there are bigger demons out there that seem to be getting a free pass.
