Search giant Google updated its so-called “Sensitive Events” policy, specifying what they will allow in advertising, raising questions about what they expect in 2024.
Conservative commentators and reporters, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have already warned that 2024 will be “like nothing we’ve ever seen.”
But the speculation rally began when Google posted the update to its advertising policy on Tuesday.
Google announced its “update” to what it would deem “inappropriate” beginning next month.
“In February 2024, Google will update the Inappropriate content policy to clarify the definition of Sensitive Events,” Google said.
In Google’s existing rules for inappropriate content, it states:
“We value diversity and respect for others, and we strive to avoid offending users, so we don’t allow ads or destinations that display shocking content or promote hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or violence.”
On Tuesday, Google announced it was preparing to limit content based on “Sensitive Events.”
In the “Update to Inappropriate content policy,” it said:
“A ‘Sensitive Event’ is an unforeseen event or development that creates significant risk to Google’s ability to provide high quality, relevant information and ground truth, and reduce insensitive or exploitative content in prominent and monetized features. During a Sensitive Event, we may take a variety of actions to address these risks.
“Examples of Sensitive Events include events with significant social, cultural, or political impact, such as civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorism and related activities, conflict, or mass acts of violence.”
Does Google know something about 2024?
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) January 11, 2024
"Sensitive Events include events with significant social, cultural, or political impact, such as civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorism and related activities, conflict, or mass acts of violence" pic.twitter.com/JXpvmfa8h0
The search giant said that in the occurrence of such an event, its servers would not permit exploiting, dismissing, or condoning it.
Google also said it will not permit advertisers to use such events to “drive traffic,” while “victim blaming” is also banned.
The announcement drew the attention of X social media users:
Google is updating its user policy to cover "sensitive events", to allow it to deplatform content that "creates significant risk to [its] ability to provide high quality, relevant information and ground truth."
— RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) January 11, 2024
Expect a "sensitive event" just in time for the election. pic.twitter.com/bVzhoANMR0
Black Swan planning.
— Lou Grant (@TheCriticsSay) January 11, 2024
In late December last year, CBS News investigative reporter Catherine Herridge predicted that 2024 would produce a ‘Black Swan Event’ that would send shockwaves throughout the world.
“I just feel a lot of concern that 2024 may be the year of a black swan event,” she said.
“This is a national security event with high impact that’s very hard to predict.”
The term’ black swan’ event describes an unexpected event that causes chaos.
Examples of the extreme nature of such an event include the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2008.
READ: ‘He Needs to Be Careful:’ Steve Bannon Warns Trump to Increase His Security for 2024
