Marks & Spencer have pulled their adverts from Google and YouTube as the tech giants fail to “provide specific reassurances” that adverts would not be displayed alongside those promoting hate.
The retailer has become that latest organisation to freeze its advertising with Google, alongside the BBC, HSBC, Havas, L‘Oreal and Audi.
This follows last week‘s revelation that adverts from the Home Office were being displayed next to homophobic and hate-inducing adverts.
M&S stated: “In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through.”
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Despite having apologised for the problem, which has also seen the UK government halt part of its £60 million annual digital advertising budget, Google have not yet been able to rectify the problem.
The French media agency Havas said last week that Google was “unable to provide specific reassurances…”‰that their video or display content is classified (as acceptable) either quickly enough or with the correct filters”.
The digital behemoth has promised to alter its technology and policies, offering more control to advertisers.
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