Google has revealed that artificial intelligence played a critical role in blocking billions of harmful advertisements in 2024, according to its newly released Ads Safety Report. The company said it blocked or removed 5.1 billion ads, restricted 9.1 billion more, and suspended over 39 million advertiser accounts—most before any ad was ever shown.
The report highlights how Google’s AI models, particularly those powered by its Gemini technology, are increasingly effective at detecting fraud signals such as stolen payment methods, fake business credentials, and large-scale scam networks. The shift toward AI-powered prevention comes amid a surge in online scams and AI-generated misinformation.
In 2024, Google intensified efforts to tackle impersonation scams, especially in regions like Nigeria, where such threats are on the rise. As part of its strategy, the tech giant updated its Misrepresentation policy, deployed a team of more than 100 global experts, and took down over 700,000 scam-related advertiser accounts, leading to a 90% drop in reported impersonation scams.
With nearly half of the world’s population heading to the polls last year, Google also bolstered election ad transparency. Political advertisers were required to verify their identities and disclose funding sources, resulting in the removal of over 10 million election-related ads that failed to meet these standards.
“Online safety is essential for a free and trustworthy internet,” said Alex Rodriguez, General Manager for Ads Safety at Google. We launched over 50 enhancements to our AI models in 2024. These improvements helped us move faster, identify threats earlier, and take action before bad actors could reach users.”
Evening Roundup: Stories making waves in The Nation - The Nation
While the figures are global, their impact is tangible for users across Africa. From small business owners to everyday internet users, the improved ad safety framework helps protect livelihoods and foster trust in digital platforms. In Nigeria, where misleading ads and phishing attacks have threatened both consumers and creators, enhanced safety measures are seen as a major win. The report also emphasises how AI has freed up human reviewers to focus on more complex, high-risk investigations. Google said it continues to collaborate with regulators, consumer protection bodies, and organisations such as the Global Anti-Scam Alliance to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Google’s Ads Safety Report underlines the growing importance of AI in securing the digital space—not just by responding to threats, but by stopping them before they ever reach the screen
No comments:
Post a Comment