Google to pay $10.7m to settle claims of deceptive Pixel 4 smartphone ads, says Texas A-G
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Google allegedly hired radio announcers to give testimonials about the Pixel 4 without allowing them to use one of the phones.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – Google, a unit of Alphabet, has agreed to pay US$8 million (S$10.7 million) to settle claims that it used deceptive advertisements to promote the Pixel 4 smartphone, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton announced on Friday.
The search and advertising giant, which also makes Android smartphone software and owns YouTube, has been scrutinised for antitrust and consumer protection infractions
In this instance, Mr Paxton’s office alleged that Google hired radio announcers to give testimonials about the Pixel 4 even though the company had refused to allow them to use one of the phones.
“If Google is going to advertise in Texas, their statements better be true,” Mr Paxton said. “In this case, the company made statements that were blatantly false, and our settlement holds Google accountable for lying to Texans for financial gain.”
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
