Google He has accepted fined $8 million for misleading advertising related to its Google Pixel devices. The Government of Texas in the United States imposed this sanction due to a campaign that turned out to be false and misleading for users.
According to a report published on the website of computer todayAt the launch of the Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL in 2019, the devices had generated controversy due to falling short of expectations compared to the competition. However, this is not the reason behind the fine imposed on Google.
The company used celebrities and radio hosts in its ad campaign to promote features of Pixel devices. The problem is that these personalities did not have the phones and the advertising was based on false claims of their experience with the devices.
false testimonials
The Texas government found this advertising practice to be deceptive, as individuals involved in the advertising provided false testimonials without actually having access to Google phones. The company has accepted the fine without commenting further on it.
Google seems to have learned its lesson, since in the recent launch of the Google Pixel 7a, this type of deceptive advertising was not used. Also, during the presentation, emphasis was placed on features such as artificial intelligence (AI), rather than resorting to fake celebrity testimonials.
It will be interesting to see if Google repeats similar strategies in the future, although it is understandable that governments will crack down on misleading advertising to protect users from possible fraud by companies. Transparency and veracity in advertising are crucial aspects to maintain consumer trust.