By Luís Daniel Rijo in Display News — May 1, 2024

Google updates policies to address synthetic sexually explicit content

Google today announced an update to its Advertising Policies for Google Ad Manager, AdSense, and AdMob, specifically regarding sexually explicit content. This update aims to address the growing presence of synthetically generated or altered content depicting nudity or sexual activity.

What is Synthetic Sexually Explicit Content?

Synthetic sexually explicit content refers to media, typically created using artificial intelligence (AI) or other digital tools, that depicts nudity or sexual acts. This can include images, videos, or even audio content that has been manipulated to appear real.

Why is Google Updating the Policy?

The rise of AI-powered content generation tools has raised concerns about the proliferation of synthetic sexually explicit content online. According to a recent study by [insert reputable research institute], the amount of deepfake pornography circulating on the internet has increased by [insert percentage] in the past year. This type of content can be harmful for a variety of reasons, including:

Privacy Violations: Synthetic content can be used to create deepfakes that depict real people in compromising situations, potentially causing emotional distress and reputational damage.
Normalization of Sexual Violence: The widespread availability of graphic sexual content, even if synthetically generated, can contribute to the normalization of sexual violence and unrealistic portrayals of sex.
Harm to Minors: Accidental exposure to sexually explicit content can be harmful to minors, and the realistic nature of synthetic content can make it difficult for them to distinguish between real and fake.

What Does the Updated Policy Say?

The updated policy explicitly prohibits the promotion of content that has been synthetically altered or generated to be sexually explicit or contain nudity. This applies to all ad creatives and landing pages associated with Google Ad Manager, AdSense, and AdMob.

What Does This Mean for Advertisers?

Advertisers using Google should carefully review their advertising materials to ensure they comply with the updated policy. Here are some key considerations:

Avoid using synthetically generated content: This includes images, videos, or audio that depicts nudity or sexual activity created using AI or other digital manipulation tools.
Review third-party content: If your ads link to external landing pages, ensure that the content on those pages does not violate Google's advertising policies.
Stay informed: As technology evolves, so too might Google's policies. Advertisers are encouraged to stay up-to-date on the latest policy updates.

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