Christopher FranciaDec 22, 2022
craigsilverman

I spent a good part of this year investigating Google's ad business. Today we published a story about trying to crack open its black box ad network.

Unlike its competitors, Google conceals nearly all publishers it works with and where billions of ad dollars flow. We found that Google's vast ad network contains manga piracy, porn, fraud and disinformation.

Give it a read: https://www.propublica.org/article/google-display-ads-piracy-porn-fraud

Porn, Piracy, Fraud: What Lurks Inside Google’s Black Box Ad Empire

Google’s ad business hides nearly all publishers it works with and where billions of ad dollars flow. We uncovered a network containing manga piracy, porn, fraud and disinformation.

ProPublica
Dec 21, 2022 at 9:41pmWeb
Show threadMark HurstDec 21, 2022
@craigsilverman would love to have you as a guest on https://techtonic.fm sometime in the new year!
Techtonic with Mark Hurst on WFMU

Techtonic with Mark Hurst is a weekly radio show from WFMU about technology, how it's affecting us, and what we can do about it.

Techtonic with Mark Hurst on WFMU
Show threadcraigsilvermanDec 21, 2022
@markhurst sounds great! Can you send a request to craig.silverman@propublica.org? That way I can ask for the ok.
Show threadMark HurstDec 21, 2022
@craigsilverman Done!
Show threadMaggie FarleyDec 21, 2022
@craigsilverman
Great work on this investigation. Looking forward to more following the money behind disinfo.
Show threadChristine HallDec 21, 2022
@craigsilverman Good article, Craig. I read it about an hour ago and tooted a link to it already. Keep up the good work!
Show threadℹ️❤️🖥 aka Compy-chanDec 21, 2022
@craigsilverman @ProPublica first two is based, last two is cringe
Show threadMelissa SweetDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman great work!
Show threadChris TrottierDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman Good work!
Show threadThe Impulsive Vulcan🖖Dec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman This was a dope read! Thanks for your hard work.
Show threadRyan FordDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman NOT MANGA PIRACY!!!
Show threadGalacticoDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman good work, well done!
Show threadMargot WilliamsDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman great work!
Show threadChristopher FranciaDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman great job. The more awareness is made for the issues inside adtech the better chance for it to improve.
Show threadElène Brumec 🏳️‍🌈🦋Dec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman thank you for your brilliant endeavor!
Show threadAllison NixonDec 22, 2022

@craigsilverman

Thank you for shedding light on this. In my work I also noticed the ongoing problem of Google ads being used to hawk illegal services. In the ddos-for-hire space, Google still requires individual takedown and refuses to ban the entire category of activity, even though it's categorically illegal.

The below article from 2018 is STILL relevant.

https://www.lightbluetouchpaper.org/2018/08/28/google-doesnt-seem-to-believe-booters-are-illegal/

Google doesn’t seem to believe booters are illegal | Light Blue Touchpaper

Show threadStrappo HughesDec 22, 2022
@craigsilverman what happened to “don’t be evil”?
Show threadAna Ribeiro 💙Dec 29, 2022
@craigsilverman @peterjukes @Fascinatorfun @JohnWest_JAWS @HeidiCuda @jasonkint @turloughc @jimstewartson @davetroy
Show threadBob HarveyDec 29, 2022

@craigsilverman
Thank you.

I have passed this on to the trustees of a charity I am part of.

Show threadRuthSmartDec 29, 2022

@craigsilverman
Advertisers choose where to advertise and can opt out of the Google Display Network.

Ultimately it’s their business decision as to where their advertising budget goes.

If Google’s display network is opaque is it not because advertisers want it that way ?

#Google #DisplayNetwork #DigitalAdvertising

Show threadnewsorpigalDec 31, 2022
@craigsilverman There is nothing wrong with piracy and porn 😆
Show thread@hDec 31, 2022
@craigsilverman And they know it, which is the main reason for keeping this information from being made public.