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FT News Briefing

Google and Meta’s secret deal

Aug 8, 2024
10:35
Snipd AI
Benjamin Parkin, an insightful journalist covering international affairs, discusses a covert ads deal between Google and Meta aimed at targeting teenagers. He delves into the ethical controversies surrounding big tech and the need for governmental oversight. The conversation also touches on the significant financial decisions of the UK’s largest pension fund, which divested from Israeli assets due to human rights concerns. Additionally, Parkin sheds light on the escalating political turmoil in Bangladesh, driven by protests against a new interim leader amid economic instability.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Google and Meta's secret advertising deal to target teenagers raises ethical concerns about maximizing revenue versus adhering to age restrictions.
  • The UK’s USS Pension Fund divested 80 million pounds from Israeli assets, reflecting a growing trend toward ethical investing among institutional investors.

Deep dives

Google and Meta's Controversial Advertising Deal

Google and Meta engaged in a secret agreement that allowed Meta to promote Instagram advertisements on YouTube, ultimately targeting a young demographic. This partnership contravened Google's own policies prohibiting the targeting of individuals under 18, highlighting the tension between maximizing advertising revenue and adhering to ethical guidelines. By leveraging a third-party advertising group, Google devised a method to reach this audience without directly violating its rules, creating a workaround that skirted its stated commitments. Following the investigation's disclosure, Google halted the project and initiated an inquiry into the matter, illustrating the ongoing challenges tech giants face in self-regulating their practices.

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