Google has agreed to pay $500 million to settle federal court charges for improperly aiding the advertisement of a Canadian pharmacy that targeted US consumers.
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The US Justice Department claimed the settlement as one of the largest in the US’ history. But the outrageous figure of $500 million would be the equivalent of a flesh wound to leviathan company Google.
In settling the dispute Google acknowledged it unjustly helped the illegal pharmacies gain an advantage through its AdWords advertising. According to TechFlash.com, the feds say Google reduced competition in the US by blocking native pharmacies from advertising, while allowing Canadian pharmacies to target the US consumers through its AdWords service.
The US justice department recognised Google improperly aided the Canadian pharmacy advertises for six years, between 2003 and 2009. They also helped improved their websites effectiveness.
Deputy Attorney General James Cole said in his address that the department of justice will hold big companies who profit through unjust means accountable:
The Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable companies who in their bid for profits violate federal law and put at risk the health and safety of American consumers. This settlement ensures that Google will reform its improper advertising practices with regard to these pharmacies while paying one of the largest financial forfeiture penalties in history.
