Google’s Pixel series continues to cause trouble. Smartphones, which are constantly on the agenda with a bug, have been a nightmare for the company so far. But it seems this is just the beginning. The FTC and seven states sue Google over deceptive Pixel radio ads. The company faces a $9.4 million penalty if found guilty.

The FTC and seven states sue Google over deceptive Pixel 4 series ads

At the beginning of this year, the state of Texas was suing Google over radio ads broadcast in 2019 and 2020 promoting the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Before the launch of the Pixel 4 series, Google had signed deals with media companies. One of the companies, iHeartMedia, recorded an ad to be broadcast in the Texas radio region. However, the company wanted radio personnel to give their first-hand experience with the Pixel 4 models even though the phones had yet to be released.

Because of Google’s request, iHeartMedia requested a Pixel 4 for each on-air staff involved in the promotion but was denied. The company did write scripts that required the DJs to say that they used the devices and that they loved the Night Sight feature that allows users to take photos in low-light environments without flash.

The scripts included dialogue like this: “The only thing I love more than taking the perfect photo? Taking the perfect photo at night. With Google Pixel 4, both are a cinch. It’s my favorite phone camera out there, especially in low light, thanks to Night Sight Mode.” Another script had the DJs say, “I’ve been taking studio-like photos of everything…my son’s football game… a meteor shower… a rare spotted owl that landed in my backyard. Pics or it didn’t happen, am I right?”

And the ads also promoted Google Assistant: “Pixel 4 is more than just great pics. It’s also great at helping me get stuff done, thanks to the new voice-activated Google Assistant that can handle multiple tasks at once. I can read up on the latest health fads, ask for directions to the nearest goat yoga class (yes, that’s a thing), and text the location to mom hands-free.” Remember, iHeartMedia staff had never actually held a Pixel 4 in their hands.

This misleading advertising campaign has given the company a lot of trouble. After the state of Texas, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against Google and iHeartMedia. FTC announced today that it and the attorneys general from seven states are commencing a lawsuit against both Google and iHeartMedia.

The states involved in legal action were Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Texas. The states in question have issued demanding $9.4 million in penalties. Besides iHeartMedia, the FTC says that 11 other broadcast networks in ten states were paid by Google to promote the Pixel 4 series.

Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said, “Google and iHeartMedia paid influencers to promote products they never used, showing a blatant disrespect for truth-in-advertising rules. The FTC will not stop working with our partners in the states to crack down on deceptive ads and ensure firms that break the rules pay a price.”

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey added that “It is common sense that people put more stock in first-hand experiences. Consumers expect radio advertisements to be truthful and transparent about products, not misleading with fake endorsements. Today’s settlement holds Google and iHeart accountable for this deceptive ad campaign and ensures compliance with state and federal law moving forward.”

(via)

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