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- Government Actions:Government Action: BBB reports on known government actions involving business’ marketplace conduct:FTC Approves Final Orders against iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements
The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.
On 2/08/2023, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized consent orders against Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. settling allegations that they produced and aired nearly 29,000 deceptive first-person endorsements by radio personalities promoting the personalities’ use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
According to the FTC, in 2019, Google hired iHeartMedia and 11 other radio networks in ten major markets to have radio personalities record and broadcast first-person endorsements of the Pixel 4 phone. Google provided iHeartMedia with scripts detailing the personalities’ experiences with the Pixel 4. However, the personalities were not provided with Pixel 4s before recording and airing most of the ads, and therefore did not own or regularly use the phones.
The final orders approved by the Commission settle the allegations and bar Google and iHeartMedia from similar misrepresentations. Separate state judgments also require them to pay a total of $9.4 million in penalties.
In addition, state law enforcement partners have obtained civil penalties against the respondents: $400,000 (iHeartMedia).
Overview
BBB Accredited Since: 4/4/2016
Years in Business: 14
BBB Accreditation & Rating
About This Business
Business Details
- Local BBB:
- BBB Serving Metropolitan New York
- BBB File Opened:
- 7/11/2006
- Business Started:
- 1/1/2011
- Business Incorporated:
- 9/16/2014
- Type of Entity:
- Corporation
- Alternate Names:
- iHeartMedia
Additional Contact Information
- Additional Phone Numbers
- Other Phone: (212) 377-7834
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