• Reuters, Thursday, March 23, 2017 7:55 AM

Verizon Communications and AT&T said on Wednesday that they've stopped digital advertising on Google's YouTube and other advertising platforms not related to search over concerns that their ads may have run next to extremist videos. "Verizon and AT&T joined a list of well-known British brands such as retailer Marks and Spencer Group  deserting Alphabet's Google. Google is under fire in Europe from politicians and brands angered by ads appearing alongside videos on its YouTube platform carrying homophobic or anti-Semitic messages," Reuters reported. "AT&T is removing ads from the non-search inventory on Google because its 'ads may have appeared alongside YouTube content promoting terrorism and hate,' the company wrote in an e-mail. Verizon said it had suspended all digital advertising not related to search after saying earlier on Wednesday that it had only suspended advertising on Google's non-search platforms. It took the action after its ads were appearing on 'non-sanctioned websites,' a spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail."

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