Google Sued Over Ambiguous Ad Charge Policy

Google is facing a lawsuit over what some of its advertisers contend is an ambiguous policy, leading to charges over ads the advertisers say they didn't really want. The plaintiffs say Google isn't disclosing what would cancel the charges, thus the lawsuit. According to David Almedia, the customer who filed the suit, and his law firm, Google allows him and other advertisers to set a maximum cost per click (CPC) to be charged when visitors click on their ads. But if advertisers leave the slots blank, Google goes ahead and charges the advertisers. The advertisers may think a blank means "no charge" or zero charge. Google apparently does not. According to Mr. Almeida's attorneys, "By redefining the universally understood meaning of an input form left blank, and then intentionally concealing this redefinition, Google has fraudulently taken millions of dollars from Plaintiff and the members of the class." Hence, the lawsuit. Google has not yet responded. Read more here.