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

The proposed FTC orders and the state judgments settling the allegations bar Google and iHeartMedia from similar misrepresentations, and the state judgments also require them to pay $9.4 million in penalties.

Metadata
Provider: 
FTCFTC
URL: 
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/11/ftc-states-sue-google-iheartmedia-deceptive-ads-promoting-pixel-4-smartphonehttps://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/11/ftc-states-sue-google-iheartmedia-deceptive-ads-promoting-pixel-4-smartphone
Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Information
Tags: 
Processor register, Compliance, Internet, Human, Federal Trade Commission, IHeartRadio, Blog, Radio, IHeartMedia, Pixel, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Social media, Fashion Nova, Regulations.gov, Federal, FM, Google, News, Consumer protection, Federal Register, Commission, FTC, Dietary supplement
Geotags: 
CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, ILLINOIS, ARIZONA, GEORGIA, MASSACHUSETTS
Summary
Key Points: 
  • The proposed FTC orders and the state judgments settling the allegations bar Google and iHeartMedia from similar misrepresentations, and the state judgments also require them to pay $9.4 million in penalties.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Consumers expect radio advertisements to be truthful and transparent about products, not misleading with fake endorsements, said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.
  • Todays settlement holds Google and iHeart accountable for this deceptive ad campaign and ensures compliance with state and federal law moving forward.
  • According to the FTC, in 2019, Google hired iHeartMedia and 11 other radio networks in ten major markets to have on-air personalities record and broadcast endorsements of the Pixel 4 phone.
  • Enforcement Action
    The proposed orders settling the FTCs charges are designed to address the Google and iHeartMedias allegedly illegal conduct.
  • Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Copyright: 
2022 FTC. All Rights Reserved.