Google Allows 'Abortion' As Keyword In Ads After Settling Lawsuit With U.K. Antiabortion Group

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 24 Sep 2008 - 10:00 PST

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Religious organizations will be allowed to use the keyword "abortion" in advertisements on Google after the company settled a lawsuit with a British antiabortion group, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, Google had denied religious groups' advertisements with the "abortion" keyword in the past while selling it to other groups, such as physicians offering abortions, secular groups and resource sites.

The lawsuit was filed in April after Google denied an ad from the Christian Institute, which wanted to run an advertisement that criticized an abortion-related bill in the United Kingdom's House of Commons. The advertisement read in part, "UK abortion law: Key news and views on abortion law from The Christian Institute." The Christian Institute said that Google was discriminating on religious grounds.

Ben Novick, a London-based Google spokesperson, said that the company's policies are "based upon local customs and business practices," adding that Google "review[s] them from time to time to make sure they are up to date and current." The Christian Institute in a statement, said "We are pleased with Google's constructive response to this matter."

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Ads linked to abortion from religious groups were allowed immediately following the settlement, so long as they were not graphic, emotional or factually inaccurate (Clifford, New York Times, 9/22).

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