Google to Pause u.s. Political ads ahead of inauguration

Alphabet Inc.’s Google will stop selling political ads referencing u.s. elections across its services until at least Jan. 21, following last week’s violence at the Capitol, according to an email to advertisers seen by reuters. The email said the action was taken “following the unprecedented events of the past week and ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration,” which takes place on Jan. 20. Google said it would “temporarily pause all political ads in addition to any ads referencing impeachment, the inauguration, or protests at the u.s. Capitol.” The move will make no exceptions for news organizations or merchandisers running ads. On dec. 10, Google had lifted a temporary ban on election-related ads, which took effect after polls closed in the November u.s. presidential election and aimed to curb misinformation.