Watchdog: Google stops showing ads on pre-election, election days

MOSCOW, Sep 13 (PRIME) -- A check conducted by the Russian communications service has revealed that Google stopped distribution of illegal political advertisements on the pre-election and election days, September 8–9, after the company was addressed by the watchdog, Deputy Director Vadim Subbotin said on Thursday.

“As far as we know, Google on its own limited access of a number of entities to the exploitation of their advertising tools, in fact fulfilling our requirements,” Subbotin said.

The U.S. company earlier received letters from Russian authorities on inadmissibility of placing information about unsanctioned campaigns in Russia on the single elections day on the company’s resources. The communications service earlier said it was in constant dialogue with Google on the matter.

“We think that in order to avoid similar cases, Google should think of mechanisms to assess legitimacy of signing such dubious contracts for the provision by them of advertising options,” Subbotin said.

If the company provides opportunities for political advertisements on the threshold of the single voting day, the Russian law on elections is directly violated, he said.

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