Google (NASDAQ:$GOOGL) has reportedly discovered that Russian operatives spent tens of thousands of dollars on ads on its Gmail, Youtube, and Google Search products in an attempt to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, a person close to the matter told Reuters on Monday, October 9.
It is important to mention that the ads do not appear to be from the same Kremlin-affiliated entity that purchased ads on Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:$FB). However, the ads may indicate a broader Russian online disinformation effort than what was previously thought, according to the source.
This is significant news as the revelation is likely to fuel further backlash over the role that Silicon Valley technology behemoths may have unwittingly played during the 2016 election. According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Moscow’s ultimate goal was to help Donald Trump get elected.
According to the source, Google – who is owned by Alphabet, Inc. – has uncovered less than $100,000 in ad spending potentially connected to Russian actors.
Google did not deny the story and pointed out that its existing ad policies limit political ad targeting and forbid targeting based on religion or race.
“We are taking a deeper look to investigate attempts to abuse our systems, working with researchers and other companies, and will provide assistance to ongoing inquiries,” a Google spokesperson said Monday.
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