Is YouTube ethical?

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Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google pays $425.7 million for improper snooping

A federal jury ordered Google to pay $425.7 million for improperly snooping on people's smartphones over nearly a decade.

1 sourceRead sources
cbsnews.com
A federal jury has ordered Google to pay $425.7 million for improperly snooping on people's smartphones during a nearly decade-long period of intrusions.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Google settled a federal class action lawsuit alleging it used Android users' paid cellular data without adequate disclosure or consent

Plaintiffs argued that those background transfers consumed cellular data that users paid for through their mobile carriers and primarily benefited Google, raising privacy and consumer protection concerns.

1 sourceRead sources
newsweek.com
Plaintiffs argued that those background transfers consumed cellular data that users paid for through their mobile carriers and primarily benefited Google, raising privacy and consumer protection concerns.
Google Class Action Lawsuit: How to Claim Payout for $135 Million Data Settlement - Newsweek

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google makes $10.2 million from fake clinic ads

Google made $10.2 million from deceptive advertisements for fake clinics.

1 sourceRead sources
msmagazine.com
A new report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate reveals that Google made $10.2 million over the last two years running deceptive advertisements for these fake clinics.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Jurors find Instagram and YouTube responsible for suffering

After seven weeks of trial, jurors found Instagram and YouTube responsible for the suffering of a Chico woman who charged the platforms were built to addict young users.

1 sourceRead sources
latimes.com
After a grueling seven weeks of court proceedings and more than 40 hours of tense deliberations across nine days in one of the country’s most closely watched civil trials, jurors handed down a landmark decision in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, finding Instagram and YouTube responsible for the suffering of a Chico, Calif., woman who charged the platforms were built to addict young users.

Media & the press Confirmed

Google accused of designing addictive children's products

Google is accused of designing products that addict and harm children.

1 sourceRead sources
latimes.com
“Today, a jury saw the truth and held Meta and Google accountable for designing products that addict and harm children,” said Lexi Hazam, court-appointed co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel in the related federal action.

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

YouTube settles $30 million children's privacy claim

A federal judge granted final approval for a $30 million class action settlement against YouTube after parents claimed the company violated children's privacy by collecting data while they watched videos.

1 sourceRead sources
courthousenews.com
(CN) — A federal judge granted final approval for a $30 million class action settlement against Google on Tuesday, after six years of litigation with parents claiming the tech giant violated children’s privacy by collecting data while they watched YouTube videos.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google gives $150k in free ads to anti-abortion group

Google provided $150,000 in free advertising to an anti-abortion group that misleads women into believing it offers abortion services.

1 sourceRead sources
independent.co.uk
Google has given $150,000 of free advertising to an anti-abortion group that tricks women into thinking it offers abortion services but actually seeks to stop “abortion-minded women” from having their pregnancies terminated.

Privacy & surveillance Ruling

Google was fined $462 million by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for violating EU privacy rules related to the collection

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced on Monday that it has fined Google 403 million euros, or about $462 million, over the tech giant’s processing of location data.

4 sourcesRead sources
fortune.com
Google has been fined 403 million euros ($463 million) for breaching the European Union’s strict privacy rules because it mishandled users’ location data, the bloc’s data privacy watchdog said Monday.
Google fined €403 million by EU over location data privacy violations
Google fined €403 million by EU over location data privacy violations | Fortune
bbc.com
Google has been fined €403m (£345m) by the Republic of Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) over its handling of location data.
In addition to being fined, Google has also been ordered to bring its data processing into compliance within six months.
fastcompany.com
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced on Monday that it has fined Google 403 million euros, or about $462 million, over the tech giant’s processing of location data.
Google fined $462 million after regulators uncover problems with a familiar feature - Fast Company
The commission also ordered that Google bring its processing of location data into compliance within six months.
theguardian.com
Google fined more than €400m by Irish regulator over its use of location data | Google | The Guardian
Imposing a fine of €403m, the DPC ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation (GDPR) within six months. It is the fourth-largest fine imposed by the Irish regulator, which has EU-wide responsibility for all the US tech giants with EU headquarters in Ireland.
The fine, imposed by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), comes after complaints from multiple European consumer organisations that Google was following every step users took.
Imposing a fine of €403m, the DPC ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation (GDPR) within six months.

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

Google paid nearly $1.4 billion in a settlement with Texas over allegations the company violated the state's privacy laws

Google has faced other privacy lawsuits, including one earlier this year where it paid nearly $1.4 billion in a settlement with Texas over allegations the company violated the state's privacy laws.

3 sourcesRead sources
business-humanrights.org
Google’s agreement to settle comes nearly a year after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a $1.4 billion settlement from Meta over the unauthorized use of biometric data from Facebook and Instagram users.
As reported by Cryptopolitan earlier, Google agreed to a $1.375 billion settlement with Texas over allegations it unlawfully tracked users’ facial recognition data, location history, and Chrome Incognito activity.
cnbc.com
Google has faced other privacy lawsuits, including one earlier this year where it paid nearly $1.4 billion in a settlement with Texas over allegations the company violated the state's privacy laws.
consumerreports.org
That case is ongoing, but a similar lawsuit filed against Google resulted in a $1.375 billion settlement in May 2025.

Workplace equity Allegation

YouTube is accused of racial profiling in content algorithms

Content producers filed a federal class action in June 2020 accusing YouTube and its parent Google of using racial profiling in algorithms to censor their video content and limit viewership.

2 sourcesRead sources
courthousenews.com
The content producers filed a federal class action in June 2020 accusing YouTube and its parent Google of using racial profiling in algorithms and artificial intelligence to filter and censor their video content so it reaches fewer viewers, similar to improper censorship of LGBTQ+ content creators the tech giants said was fixed years ago following a 2019 federal lawsuit.
the-independent.com
A group of black YouTube creators filed suit against the company this week, alleging that the platform has been systematically removing their content without explanation.

Workplace equity Settlement

Google LLC will pay more than $3.8M to more than 5,500 employees

Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.

8 sourcesRead sources
apnews.com
The 2022 lawsuit claimed that Mountain View, California-based Google viewed Black job candidates “through harmful racial stereotypes” and claimed that hiring managers deemed Black candidates “not ‘Googly’ enough, a plain dog whistle for race discrimination.”
Google said when the settlement was reached that it strongly disagrees with the allegations that it treated anyone improperly and remains “committed to paying, hiring, and leveling all employees consistently.”
April Curley, a former Google employee, had sued the tech giant for racial discrimination, saying it engages in a “pattern and practice” of unfair treatment for its Black workers.
Google settles lawsuit over alleged racial disparities in hiring, pay and promotions | AP News
finance.yahoo.com
Google said when the settlement was reached that it strongly disagrees with the allegations that it treated anyone improperly and remains "committed to paying, hiring, and leveling all employees consistently."
Google settles racial discrimination lawsuit for $50 million
bbc.com
Google agrees to pay $28m in racial bias lawsuit
cnbc.com
A preliminary settlement covering more than 4,000 Google employees in California and New York was filed on Thursday evening in the Oakland, California federal court, and requires a judge's approval.
Google settles Black employees' racial bias lawsuit for $50 million
courthousenews.com
(CN) — A federal judge granted final approval Thursday to a $50 million class action settlement over claims Google discriminated against Black employees.
dol.gov
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations | U.S. Department of Labor
Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.
dol.gov
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations
Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations | U.S. Department of Labor
usnews.com
Google said when the settlement was reached that it strongly disagrees with the allegations that it treated anyone improperly and remains "committed to paying, hiring, and leveling all employees consistently.”
Google Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit for $50 Million

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google used tricks to enable location history

Google is accused of using various tricks to ensure location history and web activity were enabled.

1 sourceRead sources
theguardian.com
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) based its complaint on research by the Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian consumer agency, which claimed Google used “various tricks” to ensure location history and web and app activity were enabled.

Corporate conduct Settlement

YouTube settles kids' data suit with $30M payout

YouTube settled a kids' data suit with a $30M payout.

1 sourceRead sources
law360.com
Google, YouTube Settle Kids' Data Suit With $30M Payout - Law360

Corporate conduct Allegation

Google is accused of knowingly acquiescing in unauthorized access

Google is accused of knowingly acquiescing in unauthorized access to Ritter's accounts despite being provided notice.

1 sourceRead sources
latimes.com
Google is named as a defendant in the November lawsuit and is accused of “knowingly acquiescing in, failing to remedy, and materially assisting the unauthorized access” into Ritter’s accounts despite being provided notice.
Former Google chief's spying, sex assault lawsuit sent to arbitration - Los Angeles Times

Media & the press Allegation

Google is accused of hallucinating defamatory statements

Google is accused of hallucinating false and defamatory statements about a solar panel installation company in a Minnesota state court lawsuit.

1 sourceRead sources
reason.com
Last year, Google was sued in Minnesota state court by a local solar panel installation company that claimed Google's AI Overviews hallucinated false and defamatory statements about the company (see more here).

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

Google settles privacy lawsuit for $68 million

Google settles Google Assistant privacy lawsuit for $68 million.

1 sourceRead sources
cnbc.com
Google agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit claiming that ⁠its voice-activated assistant spied inappropriately on smartphone users, violating ‍their privacy.
Google settles Google Assistant privacy lawsuit for $68 million

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

Google settles $30 million privacy claim

A judge approved Google’s $30 million settlement to families over accusations it invaded kids’ privacy on YouTube.

6 sourcesRead sources
consumer.ftc.gov
Does your child love YouTube videos? Did you know that while little Susie was watching her favorite shows, YouTube was collecting data and using it to send her targeted ads? Under a settlement with the FTC, YouTube and its parent company, Google, must pay a record $170 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.
nypost.com
A judge approved Google’s $30 million settlement to families over accusations it invaded kids’ privacy on YouTube.
US Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen on Tuesday gave the final stamp of approval to the settlement, ending a six-year legal battle in which parents claimed Google violated children’s privacy by collecting data while they watched YouTube videos.
business-humanrights.org
Google hit with $30 million settlement for violating kids’ privacy
Google to pay $30 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it violated children’s privacy on YouTube by collecting personal data without parental consent
courthousenews.com
The families and their children first filed the class action in 2019, claiming that Google violated the privacy of minors by collecting personal information while they watched YouTube videos.
ftc.gov
On September 4, 2019, the FTC hosted a press conference at its headquarters in Washington, DC, to discuss its settlement with Google and YouTube over allegations by the FTC and the New York Attorney General that the YouTube video sharing service illegally collected personal information from children without their parents’ consent.
ftc.gov
Case 1:19-cv-02642 Document 1 Filed 09/04/19 Page 1 of 19 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, and PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, by LETITIA JAMES, Attorney General of the State of New York, Plaintiffs, vs. GOOGLE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and YOUTUBE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Defendants.
COMPLAINT FOR

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

Google settles $30 million privacy claim

A judge approved Google's $30 million settlement to families accused of invading kids' privacy on YouTube.

1 sourceRead sources
nypost.com
A judge approved Google’s $30 million settlement to families over accusations it invaded kids’ privacy on YouTube – and people eligible to benefit from the class-action suit need to file by Jan. 21 to claim their award.

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

Google settles for €403M GDPR fine

Google settles for €403 million fine by Ireland's data watchdog over GDPR violations.

1 sourceRead sources
bbc.com
Google hit with €403m fine by Irish data watchdog over GDPR violations
Google agrees to pay $28m in racial bias lawsuit

Workplace equity Settlement

Google settles $5 million auto-renewal claim

Google settled a claim that it automatically renewed Google Play subscriptions without properly notifying customers, violating California's Automatic Renewal law.

1 sourceRead sources
cnbc.com
Millions of Google users could soon receive part of a $5 million class-action settlement alleging the company automatically renewed Google Play subscriptions without properly notifying customers, a violation of California's Automatic Renewal law.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google abuses market dominance in search

Google is accused of abusing its market dominance in general search by favouring its own comparison shopping service over competitors.

1 sourceRead sources
ec.europa.eu
Antitrust: General Court confirms the Commission Google Search case Today, the General Court confirmed the Commission's June 2017 decision that Google abused its market dominance in general search by treating its own comparison shopping service more favourably than competing comparison shopping services.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

FTC investigating YouTube account suspensions

Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether YouTube violated consumer protection laws by suspending user accounts.

2 sourcesRead sources
bloomberg.com
The US Federal Trade Commission has been investigating whether Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube violated consumer protection laws when it suspended the accounts of users, according to people familiar with the probe.
usatoday.com
Federal Trade Commission has been investigating whether Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube violated consumer protection laws when it suspended the accounts of users, according to people familiar with the probe.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Users reported that Google’s autocomplete feature did not surface predictions related to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler

In July 2024, users reported that Google’s autocomplete feature did not surface predictions related to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

1 sourceRead sources
influencewatch.org
In July 2024, users reported that Google’s autocomplete feature did not surface predictions related to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Privacy & surveillance Allegation

YouTube is accused of violating children's privacy law

YouTube is accused of violating children's privacy law and will pay $170 million.

2 sourcesRead sources
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law | Federal Trade Commission
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google must disclose Choice Screen details

Google is required to disclose each Choice Screen, its distribution agreement if relevant, and implementation plan to plaintiffs and the TC at least 60 days before display.

1 sourceRead sources
coag.gov
Choice Screens: Google must disclose each Choice Screen, the related distribution agreement, if relevant, and its plan for implementing that Choice Screen to Plaintiffs and the TC at least sixty (60) days in advance of the Choice Screen being displayed to any user.

Privacy & surveillance Confirmed

Google collects data for targeted advertising

Google collects data to be used for targeted advertising purposes.

1 sourceRead sources
ec.europa.eu
Google collects data to be used for targeted advertising purposes, it sells advertising space and also acts as an online advertising intermediary.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Google was fined €2.4 billion by the European Commission in 2017 for actions that infringed European competition law

In 2017, 2018, and 2019, the European Commission (EC) announced decisions that certain actions taken by Google infringed European competition law and imposed fines of €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion as of June 27, 2017), €4.3 billion ($5.1 billion as of June 30, 2018), and €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion as of March 20, 2019), respectively.

1 sourceRead sources
sec.gov
•AdSense for Search: In March 2019, the EC announced its decision that certain provisions in Google's agreements with AdSense for Search partners infringed European antitrust laws, imposed a fine of €1.5 billion, and directed actions related to AdSense for Search partners' agreements, which we implemented prior to the decision. In 2019, we recognized a charge of $1.7 billion for the fine and appealed the EC decision. In September 2024, the General Court overturned the EC decision and annulled the €1.5 billion fine. The EC has appealed the General Court's decision with the European Court of Justice.
In 2017, 2018, and 2019, the European Commission (EC) announced decisions that certain actions taken by Google infringed European competition law and imposed fines of €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion as of June 27, 2017), €4.3 billion ($5.1 billion as of June 30, 2018), and €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion as of March 20, 2019), respectively.
•Android: In July 2018, the EC announced its decision that certain provisions in Google’s Android-related distribution agreements infringed European antitrust laws, imposed a €4.3 billion fine, and directed the termination of the conduct at issue. We appealed the EC decision and implemented changes to certain of our Android distribution practices. In September 2022, the General Court affirmed the EC decision but reduced the fine from €4.3 billion to €4.1 billion. We subsequently appealed the General Court's affirmation of the EC decision with the European Court of Justice, which remains pending. In 2018, we recognized a charge of $5.1 billion for the fine, which we reduced by $217 million in 2022.

Labor & working conditions Allegation

Google is accused of retaliating against employees

A group of former Google employees alleges the company retaliated against them after participating in a protest against its work with the Israeli government.

4 sourcesRead sources
finance.yahoo.com
A group of former Google employees may proceed with claims that the company unlawfully retaliated against them following their participation in a protest against the company's work with the Israeli government, a federal judge held Thursday.
Pro-Palestinian protesters’ retaliation lawsuit against Google may proceed
reason.com
As to Google's first point, the Complaint explicitly alleges that the protest was an effort to oppose not only Project Nimbus, but also the "harassment, intimidation, bullying, silencing, and censorship of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Googlers." And while the Complaint does not plausibly allege that Skaf was treated differently on account of her race or ethnicity, as opposed to her political views, it does plausibly allege that she and her fellow protestors "possessed a good faith, reasonable belief that the employer's conduct qualified as an unlawful employment practice" under Title VII and the NYCHRL.
cnn.com
“We must resist Google’s repression of worker organizing, and demand that Google be held responsible for their retaliatory actions against employees asking for ethical applications of their labor,” Zelda Montes, a former Google software engineer who was fired for participating in the protest, said in a statement.
jns.org
Google said at the time that employees who were terminated had physically disrupted workplaces and blocked colleagues from accessing company facilities, conduct it said violated company policies.
Judge allows retaliation claims in ex-Google employee’s lawsuit over Israel protest - Israel & Jewish News - JNS

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google notifies user of doxing in email

Google notified Skaf via email that her details were included in a Daily Wire press article due to doxing.

1 sourceRead sources
reason.com
On March 8, 2024, Skaf received an email from Google Security notifying her that she had been "doxxed" by having her name, work location, and internal Google profile picture included in a Daily Wire press article.

Privacy & surveillance Allegation

Google is accused of accessing mobile device data

Google is accused of unlawfully accessing class action members' mobile devices to collect data on their non-Google app activity.

2 sourcesRead sources
courthousenews.com
The jury, however, did not find Google violated the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, and declined to award additional damages.
kiplinger.com
According to the class action lawsuit website for the case, "Google unlawfully accessed their [class action members’] mobile devices to collect, save, and use the data concerning their activity on non-Google apps that have incorporated certain Google software code into the apps."
$425 Million Google Class Action Lawsuit: Do You Qualify for a Payout? | Kiplinger

Workplace equity Settlement

Google scrapped its diversity-based hiring goals

Google scraps diversity-based hiring goals amid policy review, report says.

6 sourcesRead sources
bbc.com
Earlier this year, Google joined a growing list of US firms that are abandoning commitments to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their recruitment policies.
Google agrees to pay $28m in racial bias lawsuit
bbc.com
DEI: Google joins US firms abandoning diversity recruitment goals
business-humanrights.org
Google scraps diversity-based hiring goals amid policy review, report says
Google is ending its diversity-based hiring goals and reviewing DEI initiatives, citing compliance with federal policies.
"Google scraps diversity-based hiring targets", 6 February 2025
Google scraps diversity-based hiring goals amid policy review, report says - Business and Human Rights Centre
cbsnews.com
Last week, Google outlined plans to scrap some of its diversity hiring targets — joining a growing list of U.S. companies that have abandoned or scaled back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
influencewatch.org
In 2020, Google set a target of increasing leadership representation of underrepresented groups by 30 percent by 2025 and more than doubling the number of Black employees at non-senior levels. 10 In February 2025, the company informed employees that it would no longer maintain those hiring goals and that its teams were evaluating program changes required by recent court decisions and executive orders applicable to federal contractors.
wired.com
Major employers including Meta and Google suspended minority hiring targets and dropped some references to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” from their websites and regulatory filings around the time of Trump’s order.

Corporate conduct Allegation

Google accused of preinstalling search on Android

Google is accused of preinstalling its search engine in Android smartphones, violating a cease and desist order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission.

1 sourceRead sources
fastcompany.com
Japanese antitrust body accuses Google of violations - Fast Company
The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s “cease and desist order” says Google must stop the preinstallation of the Google search engine in Android smartphones, which it said in effect shuts out competition.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Judge awards YouTube 30% liability in $3 million damages

Judge awarded K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, finding YouTube 30% responsible for harm caused to the plaintiff.

3 sourcesRead sources
fortune.com
Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark child social media harm case, ordered to pay $3 million | Fortune
After more than 40 hours of deliberation across nine days, California jurors decided Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design or operation of their platforms.
A jury found both Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services, awarding the plaintiff $3 million in damages.
nbcnews.com
It awarded K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, finding Meta 70% responsible for harm caused to the now 20-year-old plaintiff, and YouTube responsible for 30%.
Jury finds Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark lawsuit on social media safety
pbs.org
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury found both Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Customers must buy subscriptions directly from YouTube

YouTube requires customers to purchase subscriptions directly from YouTube, not through the Apple App Store.

1 sourceRead sources
latimes.com
Customers are also only eligible if they bought their subscription directly from YouTube, not through the Apple App Store.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, and Alphabet, Inc

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has filed a lawsuit in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and parent company Alphabet, Inc. for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):.

1 sourceRead sources
arkansasag.gov
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has filed a lawsuit in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and parent company Alphabet, Inc. for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

Privacy & surveillance Confirmed

YouTube practices deliver targeted ads

YouTube practices deliver targeted ads to users.

1 sourceRead sources
consumer.ftc.gov
And those practices allowed YouTube to deliver targeted ads to those users.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

U.S. seeks sanctions against Google

The U.S. filed a motion for sanctions against Google LLC and requested an evidentiary hearing.

1 sourceRead sources
justice.gov
The United States’ Reply in Support of Its Motion for Sanctions Against Google, LLC and an Evidentiary Hearing to Determine the Appropriate Relief [REDACTED] (March 31, 2023)

Corporate conduct Allegation

Google defends against monopoly ad sales lawsuit

Google is set to go to trial to defend against federal prosecutors who claim it has a monopoly on online ad sales.

1 sourceRead sources
levernews.com
Google is set to go to trial this week to defend against another antitrust lawsuit from federal prosecutors who claim it has a monopoly on online ad sales.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google informed of competition proceedings

Google was informed by the Commission that proceedings have been opened regarding competition concerns.

1 sourceRead sources
ec.europa.eu
The Commission has informed Google and the competition authorities of the Member States that it has opened proceedings in this case.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google required to distribute order

Google must distribute the order and file compliance reports with the FTC.

1 sourceRead sources
ftc.gov
Require Google and iHeartMedia to distribute the order to certain people, file compliance reports with the Commission, and keep records to allow the FTC to ensure compliance.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Judge fines Google for antitrust violations

The final decision states that Google was fined for antitrust law violations.

2 sourcesRead sources
ec.europa.eu

No excerpt available. Read the original source for details.

supremecourt.gov
Comm’n-Competition); European Comm’n Press Release, Commission Fines Google €4.34 Billion for Illegal Practices Regarding Android Mobile Devices to Strengthen Dominance of Google’s Search Engine, July 18, 2018.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Judge fines Google for antitrust law violations

The final decision states that Google was fined for antitrust law violations.

3 sourcesRead sources
ec.europa.eu
The European Commission has fined Google €2.42 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules.
ec.europa.eu
comparison shopping service Today, the European Commission has published the non-confidential version of the decision adopted on 27 June 2017 to fine Google €2.42 billion for breaching EU antitrust rules.
ec.europa.eu

No excerpt available. Read the original source for details.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google amends privacy disclosures

Google amended its privacy disclosures to more accurately reflect its data collection practices following a jury's verdict.

1 sourceRead sources
courthousenews.com
Following the jury’s verdict, Google amended its privacy disclosures to more accurately reflect its data collection practices.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google faces complaints over abortion search results

Google faces complaints from abortion rights advocates and Congress members about the visibility of non-healthcare facilities in abortion search results.

1 sourceRead sources
independent.co.uk
Google has been at the centre of years of complaints from abortion rights advocates, members of Congress and others who have criticised the visibility of non-healthcare facilities in the platform’s Search results for abortion care, particularly as legal access to care has narrowed for tens of millions of Americans.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Google collected protected consumer data

Google collected and held protected consumer data without permission, enabling damages claims under Indiana, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire consumer protection laws.

1 sourceRead sources
courthousenews.com
In January 2025, van Keulen found the plaintiffs properly claimed that Google collected and held on to protected consumer data without permission, allowing damages claims to proceed based on consumer protection laws in Indiana, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Google settlement over consumer deception

FTC, States Sue Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive Ads Promoting the Pixel 4 Smartphone.

3 sourcesRead sources
ftc.gov
In November 2022, the FTC and seven state attorneys general sued Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. for airing nearly 29,000 deceptive endorsements by radio personalities promoting their use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
PRESS RELEASE: FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone
ftc.gov
“Google and iHeartMedia paid influencers to promote products they never used, showing a blatant disrespect for truth-in-advertising rules,” said Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine.
FTC, States Sue Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive Ads Promoting the Pixel 4 Smartphone
“Today’s settlement holds Google and iHeart accountable for this deceptive ad campaign and ensures compliance with state and federal law moving forward.”
The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general announced lawsuits against Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. for airing nearly 29,000 deceptive endorsements by radio personalities promoting their use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
ftc.gov
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized consent orders against Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. settling allegations that they produced and aired nearly 29,000 deceptive first-person endorsements by radio personalities promoting the personalities’ use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone | Federal Trade Commission
FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone

Privacy & surveillance Settlement

YouTube settlement over consumer protection law

The settlement requires Google and YouTube to pay $136 million to the FTC and $34 million to New York for allegedly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

7 sourcesRead sources
consumer.ftc.gov
YouTube will pay $34 million to the State of New York and a record-setting $136 million COPPA penalty to the U.S. Treasury.
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
ftc.gov
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
ftc.gov
Google LLC and its subsidiary YouTube, LLC will pay a record $170 million to settle allegations by the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General that the YouTube video sharing service illegally collected personal information from children without their parents’ consent.
YouTube earned millions of dollars by using the identifiers, commonly known as cookies, to deliver targeted ads to viewers of these channels, according to the complaint.
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
In addition, according to the complaint, YouTube manually reviewed children’s content from its YouTube platform to feature in its YouTube Kids app.
“YouTube touted its popularity with children to prospective corporate clients,” said FTC Chairman Joe Simons.
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law | Federal Trade Commission
FTC, New York Attorney General allege YouTube channels collected kids’ personal information without parental consent
The settlement requires Google and YouTube to pay $136 million to the FTC and $34 million to New York for allegedly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.
usatoday.com
YouTube previously settled an FTC case in 2019 over allegations the company collected children’s information without parental consent in violation of online child safety laws.

Corporate conduct Ruling

Google faces ruling over advertising technology markets

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division won substantial relief in its monopolization case against Google in advertising technology markets.

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coag.gov
This Final Judgment should be interpreted to give full effect to the procompetitive purposes of the U.S. antitrust laws and to restore the competition the Court found was harmed by Google’s illegal conduct.
ec.europa.eu
Antitrust: General Court confirms the Commission Google Search case Today, the General Court confirmed the Commission's June 2017 decision that Google abused its market dominance in general search by treating its own comparison shopping service more favourably than competing comparison shopping services.
cnbc.com
A U.S. district judge ruled in August that the company has illegally held a monopoly in search and text advertising. Arguments in a second antitrust case about Google's advertising business closed in November, though a verdict has not yet been announced.
congress.gov
Background The Google litigation began in October 2020, when the Department of Justice (DOJ) and 11 states filed a complaint accusing Google of unlawful monopolization under Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
In August 2024, the district court held that Google had unlawfully monopolized the markets for general search services and general search text ads.
justice.gov
The United States and seventeen States filed a civil antitrust suit against Google for monopolizing multiple digital advertising technology products in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.
justice.gov
The DOJ Plaintiffs accused Google of unlawful monopoly maintenance “in the markets for general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising in the United States through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices .” Id.
Case 1:20-cv-03010-APM Document 728 Filed 10/06/23 Page 3 of 60 States identifies another relevant market for (3) search advertising, and the Attorneys General assert one more, (4) general search advertising.2 Both sets of plaintiffs allege that Google has unlawfully maintained its monopoly power through a set of exclusive contracts.
justice.gov
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division won substantial relief in its monopolization case against Google in advertising technology markets.
The court confirmed the Department’s position that it is not enough to order Google to cease its prior anticompetitive behavior. The court imposed interoperability and data-sharing requirements, anti-discrimination remedies, and prohibitions on Google’s self-preferencing bidding behavior. This ruling underscores the need for antitrust remedies to be forward-looking and comprehensive, and it reiterates that remedies can include conditions on products beyond the monopolized product markets. In addition to prohibiting Google’s past anticompetitive conduct, the court ordered the following relief:
justice.gov
As alleged in the complaint, through a series of acquisitions and anticompetitive auction manipulation, Google subverted competition for over 15 years.
In January 2023, the Justice Department, along with Attorneys General of several states and the Commonwealth of Virginia, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google for monopolizing key digital advertising technologies, referred to as the “ad tech stack,” that website publishers depend on to buy and sell ads that reach millions of customers.
justice.gov
“As alleged, Spagnuolo violated the duties he owed to his employer and used Google’s confidential business information to make more than $1.2 million in trading profits on Polymarket.
nytimes.com
In a long-awaited decision, a federal judge said Google must change its ad tech business to address antitrust issues, but did not disclose the measures.
sec.gov
antitrust laws as well as state deceptive trade laws the "OM, along with a number of state Attorneys General, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleging that Google violated U.S. antitrust laws relating to its advertising technology, and a number of additional state and ŏe exĨect a decision in ۽ٹٶٴٶݔ the EC issued a Statement of Obýections informing Google of its Ĩreliminary vieŏ that Google violated European antitrust laws relating to its advertising technology, to which we responded.
sec.gov
For example, the DOJ and a number of state Attorneys General filed a lawsuit alleging that Google violated antitrust laws relating to Search and Search advertising, and in August 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Google violated such antitrust laws. The Court is holding a separate proceeding to determine remedies, which could include alterations to our products and services and our business models and operations, including structural remedies, and/or our distribution arrangements, among other changes. While we plan to appeal, there can be no assurance that our appeal will succeed, or that we will be able to change or decrease the severity of any remedies that may be ordered, and any or all of these potential remedies could harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
•Advertising Technology: In December 2020, a number of state Attorneys General filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that Google violated U.S. antitrust laws as well as state deceptive trade laws relating to its advertising technology, and a trial is scheduled for March 2025.
usatoday.com
And while two judges found Google engaged in anticompetitive conduct in separate markets, they rejected the strongest measure of requiring it to sell assets.