Skip to main content

Google Updates Policies to Reject Ads for Spyware


Google this week announced that starting next month, an update to its policy will effectively result in the rejection of ads for surveillance technology.

The updated Google Ads Enabling Dishonest Behavior policy, which will “prohibit the promotion of products or services that are marketed or targeted with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization,” will be enforced starting August 11, 2020, the Internet giant announced.
In an effort to fight the advertising of spyware and other forms of surveillance, Google will apply the policy globally.
Such technology, the company explains, involves the use of spyware, malware, and other means of monitoring a person’s messages, phone calls, or browsing habits, or to keep an eye on their whereabouts using GPS trackers.
Additionally, Google’s updated policy will also hit the promotion of surveillance equipment such as audio recorders, cameras, dash cams and nanny cams that are being “marketed with the express purpose of spying.”
“This does not include (a) private investigation services or (b) products or services designed for parents to track or monitor their underage children,” the company explains.
Should any violations of the updated policy be identified, Google will initially issue a warning, and it will proceed to suspend offending accounts within 7 days.
Advertisers are advised to remove any ads that would result in a violation of the policy, before August 11.

Originally published at https://www.securityweek.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bogus Android Clubhouse App Drops Credential-Swiping Malware

The malicious app spreads the BlackRock malware, which steals credentials from 458 services — including Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and Amazon. Researchers are warning of a fake version of the popular audio chat app Clubhouse, which delivers malware that steals login credentials for more than 450 apps. Clubhouse has burst on the social media scene over the past few months, gaining hype through its audio-chat rooms where participants can discuss anything from politics to relationships. Despite being invite-only, and only being around for a year, the app is closing in on 13 million downloads . However, as of now the app is only available on Apple’s App Store mobile application marketplace — there’s no Android version yet (though plans are in the works to develop one). Cybercriminals are swooping in on Android users looking to download Clubhouse by creating their own fake Android version of the app. To add a legitimacy to the scam, the fake app is delivered from a website purporting to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Razer has created a concept N95 mask with RGB and voice projection

  Razer claims to have made the world’s smartest mask: its new reusable N95 respirator called Project Hazel. It’s a concept design with a glossy outside shell made of waterproof and scratch-resistant recycled plastic, which is transparent to allow for lip-reading and seeing facial cues when you chat with people. Currently, there isn’t a price or release date attached. Razer refers to Project Hazel as a surgical N95, but it hasn’t yet earned any of the necessary approvals and certifications from the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In a statement to The Verge , Razer said it is working with a team of medical experts and scientists who are helping to develop the mask. The main features of this mask lie within its two circular zones that flank your mouth. They’re used for ventilation, giving the device an almost futuristic gas mask look. Razer claims Project Hazel will use active disc-type v...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hackers Compromise Mimecast Certificate For Microsoft Authentication

A sophisticated threat actor compromised a Mimecast certificate used to authenticate several of the company’s products to Microsoft 365 Exchange Web Services, Mimecast disclosed Tuesday. The Lexington, Mass.-based email security vendor said the certificate used to authenticate its Sync and Recover, Continuity Monitor and Internal Email Protect (IEP) products to Microsoft 365 has been compromised. Mimecast said it was recently informed of the compromise by Microsoft. Mimecast’s stock is down $2.40 per share (4.67 percent) to $49 per share in pre-market trading Tuesday, which is the lowest the company’s stock has traded since Dec. 15. Mimecast declined to answer questions about whether the compromise of its certificate was carried out by the same threat actor who for months injected malicious code into the SolarWinds Orion network monitoring tool. Approximately 10 percent of Mimecast’s customers use the compromised connection, according to the company. Of those that do, Mimecast said cu...
Post a Comment
Read more