Google, iHeartMedia settle charges of deceptive Pixel 4 ads with FTC, US states

The US Federal Trade Commission and seven US states reached a settlement with Alphabet Inc’s Google and iHeartMedia Inc over allegations of deceptive ads promoting Google’s Pixel 4 smartphone, the FTC said.

the FTC said in a statement on Monday that the companies aired nearly 29,000 deceptive endorsements by radio personalities promoting their use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.

The allegations were settled by the companies, who agreed to pay $9.4 million in penalties, the FTC said.

“Google and iHeartMedia paid influencers to promote products they never used, showing a blatant disrespect for truth-in-advertising rules,” FTC official Samuel Levine said.