Google promises crackdown on hateful content

Tech giant Google has promised a crackdown and “tougher stance on hateful, offensive and derogatory content” after a number of high-profile firms withdrew their advertising from the company’s platforms.

Last week, for example, the UK government yanked its advertising from YouTube, over concerns that it has appeared alongside extremist and otherwise “inappropriate” content, after an investigation found that the likes of hate preachers were receiving £6 for every 1,000 views on a YouTube video, while Google is also lining its pockets.

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In the same week, the Guardian also pulled all its advertising from both Google and YouTube after it said a promotion for a membership scheme had been inadvertently placed next to extremist material.

Several high profile companies have followed suit since, including Channel 4, HSBC, Marks and Spencer, Audi, RBS and L’Oreal.

Google has finally responded to the backlash and has vowed to tighten advertising safeguards and to hire more staffers in order to better police hateful and offensive content that attacks people based on their race, religion or gender.

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