Google was indicted for violating advertising laws: forcing DJs to tout their phones and not offering products

Source: Sina Technology

On the morning of January 24, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing Google of forcing eight well-known radio DJs to tout the Pixel 4 series of phones.

Google Pixel 4 series phones

The lawsuit alleges that Google provided DJs with first-person words to ask them to tout the Pixel 4 phone. Phrases like this include: "I've been (using it) to take studio-level photos... My son's soccer game... Meteor shower... A rare spotted owl landed in my backyard..."

When the DJ asked to actually experience the phone, or to change the wording so that the words didn't sound like describing personal experiences, Google declined.

Then, in 2020, Google tried to run a second set of Pixle 4 ads. The DJ again asked for a mobile phone experience, lying on the side of the gun. Google rejected this until DJs tried to buy the Pixel 4 device themselves, the lawsuit said.

If the lawsuit goes to court and Google is found to be wrong, it means the company has violated Texas' Consumer Protection Act for Fraudulent Trade Practices. For 2,405 ad streams, the fines for each would be as high as $10,000 — a total of $24 million for grass and fruit.

Google spokesman Jose Castagneda said in a statement:

We will review the proceedings, but the Attorney General's allegations appear to distort the facts. We conscientiously comply with advertising laws and have policies in place to ensure that we comply with relevant regulations and industry standards.

The Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are indeed a bit rough for the company. Not only have these two products been criticized, but consumers have been cold, and even Google itself has been disappointed with the phones. After the phone failed to succeed, several Pixel developers left.