Google to File a Lawsuit Against Scams Targeting Small Businesses

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Google has announced filing legal action against scams specifically exploiting small businesses. Scammers have allegedly represented Google and collected a fee to set up a Business Profile. Google earlier offered a free tool that allows businesses to make an appearance in search results and maps. This tool offers users to add information such as contact, address, photos, and reviews.

Moreover, the alleged scam comprises making scavenging telemarketing calls to small businesses. The scam also attempts to charge for verification of their Business Profile. It consists of a website selling false positive and negative reviews. Their key objective is to leverage how businesses get through in search results and maps.

Google Stopped 12 Million Scam Attempts in 2021

However, most scams are specifically targeting small businesses. Google also stopped at least 12 million attempts from scammers and criminals in 2021 to create Business Profiles. The recent announcement indicated that more than 8 million attempts from scammers and criminals claimed Business Profiles. But those profiles didn’t correspond to them.

Google’s legal action illustrates a continuing and preemptive effort to clamp down on susceptible and exposed targets. The search giant took legal action earlier this year against a scam. It was leveraging on people’s privacy during the epidemic and claiming to sell puppies. Google also won a legal battle against malware called Glupteba. It allegedly stole infectious users’ credentials, cookies, and extracted cryptocurrencies.

Scams Affected Individuals and Small Businesses

Google said in its announcement that it is essential to perform its part to powerfully stop malicious actors and criminals. However, these scams excessively impacted individuals and small businesses. Most of those affected users didn’t have significant resources to protect themselves. The search giant added that it was a major reason to establish a legal instance to maintain a secure web.

You will find resources for reporting scams if you think you were affected by such scams. The Federal Trade Commission has also provided information about current scams. The FTC also offered to add a number to the National Do Not Call Registry. It is noteworthy that Google and YouTube are massively investing to fight against misinformation.

Google and YouTube’s $13.2 Million Grant for IFCN

Meanwhile, misinformation is constantly in the limelight. A significant increase has advanced social media giants to take considerable measures against all types of fake news. Keep in mind that Google and YouTube have now made a move against misinformation. They have announced a $13.2 million contribution to the IFCN (International Fact-Checking Network).

It is noteworthy that IFCN is a part of the nonprofit media institute, Poynter. Moreover, a $13.2 contribution will fund the fabrication of the Global Fact Check Fund. This formation will support a network of at least 135 fact-checking organizations. These organizations are operating from 65 countries in at least 80 languages. The grant will move towards scaling for prevailing operations.

Google News has Invested $75 Million

The fund will open in 2023 for existing operations and launching new initiatives to boost information and decrease misinformation. However, the grant of Google and YouTube is the single and largest amount to date toward fact-checking. Google News initiative has invested at least $75 million since 2018. The amount is dedicated to projects and partnerships aimed at empowering media literacy and encountering fake news.

The statement said Google and YouTube are dedicated to keeping performing their part in helping people what they are looking for. It would offer them the context they want to make efficient decisions regarding what they experience online. Meanwhile, Google has integrated various fact-checking features such as the Fact Checking section in Google News for desktop users.

YouTube’s Fact-Check Panels

However, other features include fact-check panels on YouTube that offers context for specific inquiries at the top of search results. The social platform also presented the media literacy initiative Hit Pause to assist users with distinct misinformation. The IFCN considered in January 2022 that YouTube is one of the key online misinformation platforms worldwide.

The IFCN pointed out COVID misinformation, health-related misinformation, and political misinformation that were circulated on the platform. The fact-checking network proposed a partnership with YouTube in an open letter. The executive director of the IFCN, Baybars Örsek, issued a statement. He said a partnership with Google and YouTube is a major step that fortifies financial support to global fact-checkers.