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Google (GOOGL.US) reportedly under investigation by the EU for being asked to provide information about its secret advertising cooperation with Meta (META.US).

AInvestTuesday, Dec 10, 2024 4:30 am ET
1min read

European regulators have reportedly asked Google (GOOGL.US) for more information about its secret advertising partnership with Meta Platforms (META.US), which has been scrapped after the search company found out about it, in violation of its rules on the treatment of minors online.

The partnership, which extended to the US and was due to go global, was revealed in an August investigation that showed how Google helped Meta promote its Instagram service to teenagers aged 13-17 using YouTube, a service owned by Google's parent company Alphabet.

Officials have reportedly ordered Google's lawyers to collect and review data, presentations, internal chats and emails related to the advertising campaign.

Despite this, the latest reports say that EU Commission officials have been investigating the partnership and have sent a dossier of information to regulators who are considering action.

Officials ordered Google to collect and review data, presentations, internal chats and emails related to the advertising campaign in October, according to the reports.

Google said in an email that its safeguards for minors, such as the ban on ad personalisation, are industry-leading and will continue to work.

The company has held new internal training to ensure its sales teams are always up to date on policies and technical protections, the spokesperson said.

Meta and the EU Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Google limits ads based on age, gender or interests of people aged 18 and under.

Meta launched privacy and parental controls for users aged 18 and under on Instagram earlier this year in a major overhaul aimed at addressing growing concerns about the social media platform's negative effects.

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