Google on Friday announced it would ban publishers and advertisers that use its platform from showing ads on "dangerous content" that contradicts scientific consensus on the coronavirus pandemic, including conspiracy theories on the virus' origin.
Content that will not be allowed to monetize on Google's platforms include conspiracy theories such as claims that the virus is a hoax, or was created as a bioweapon or by billionaire Bill Gates.
Google already prohibits ad and publisher content that makes harmful claims about disease prevention and "miracle" cures, promotes the anti-vaccination movement or encourages people to forego treatment.
"Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, we've worked hard to ensure users are protected from fraudulent, dangerous and harmful ads and content," a Google spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the company has removed more than 200 million ads for tactics such as price-gouging and capitalizing on medical supply shortages.
"Today we are putting additional safeguards in place by expanding our harmful health claims policies for both publishers and advertisers to include dangerous content about a health crisis that contradicts scientific consensus," the statement added.
The company currently allows only certain advertisers to run ads about the pandemic, including government organizations and healthcare providers.
Tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Twitter have been under pressure to tackle virus-related misinformation and have adopted policies to confront such content on their sites.
Google's move comes as the United States is seeing record coronavirus infections.
