Google Gets Into Abortion Debate; Max Shoes Steps On Women

categories: Media, Reproductive Health, Technology

Published September 28, 2009 @ 01:02PM PT

I've written in the past about how advertising can often push the envelope in good and bad ways.

Well it seems that this time, women have been hit twice by the world of advertising, but for two very different reasons.

The first story is about our favorite search engine that seems it can do no harm: Google. In a surprise move to steer clear from controversy, Google is now stating it will no longer accept ads that promote abortion services in fifteen countries: Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain and Taiwan. These ads would typically come up when a user searches for keywords and then Google AdWords show up alongside search results as "sponsored links" and are a source of revenue for the search engine company.

Since when did it become okay for Google to determine that abortion is controversial? In my eyes, it's just another medical procedure that individuals may choose to "google" if they need to. Typically, I expect the controversy conversation about abortion to come from anti-choice groups and the Catholic Church, not search engine advertising companies.

The second faux pas comes from Max Shoes that must think it's cute to tie up women in the name of selling their products. However, the advertisement below elicits a strong undertone of racialized violence and becomes particularly suspect when you consider the target audience: men. The ad was produced by German Ad Agency, Jung von Matt.

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Comments (34)

Good on google.

Posted by Thomas Berg on 09/28/2009 @ 02:36PM PT
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Mr. berg...

Considering the comments youve made on the gay blog, against equality...

Im not surprised that you would be against women being in control of their own bodies...

Just keep thumping your bible mr. berg because it wont be long before you and those like you destroy your own foolish religion.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/29/2009 @ 12:18AM PT
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Mr. McHugh,

Why are you persecuting him? Christianity is not foolish. The ways of God is foolishness to man, but the ways of man is foolishness to God. Mr. Berg has opinions and he is free to express them. His however, weren't rude or out of order, yours were. And if your about respecting other people's opinions, such as women choosing what to do with their bodies, like maybe cutting them into pieces or prostituting them, then why can't he have his opinion which is totally harmless and in my opinion good, without a God hater attacking him? Only those who are in darkness hate the light Mr. McHugh. I am pro life. That is my opinion. People need to understand that there are consequences to their actions or else they're just going to do whatever they want. You want to have sex? Then you shall have a child. You must think about that before hand. Yes, they may not be ready and they may mess up their life as well as the childs', but those are the consequences to the actions they chose to take. Like every other situation in life, there are the consequences to our actions. When is it not necessary to have consequences to wrong actions? Two of my brothers had children before they were ready sadly, but now we have four beautiful additions to our family. And I'm sure they don't regret their kids. Now in the case of rape I am sympathetic, but sadly evil is done and must be endured and delt with as best possible. That baby could be a blessing to someone else. I'm not trying o tell others how to live their life. God gave everyone a free will. I'm just expressing myself and hoping people will see things as they should.

Posted by Gabriella Noneya on 10/28/2009 @ 10:24PM PT
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Is there an action or petition against Google? They should feel that it is contraversial to move away from anyone's rights. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 09/28/2009 @ 03:54PM PT
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The shoe ad looks like the sex-slave awareness thing featured at the human trafficking blog. Just makes me want to make sure my footwear isn't slave-made.

Posted by sarah karp on 09/28/2009 @ 07:24PM PT
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I cant say that Im all that surprised at google...

Not after the biasness theyve shown towards the bible thumpers on youtube.

Apparently the bible thumpers have infested google.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/29/2009 @ 12:20AM PT
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As for that shoe ad...

I agree with miss karp.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/29/2009 @ 12:21AM PT
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Wow. That image reeks of racism too. Like Ms. Karp said, slave trade. It also kind of makes me think of foot binding. I am not sure what statement they were trying to make, but it stinks, like a smelly shoe.

Posted by D O on 09/29/2009 @ 10:43PM PT
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Well thats surprise. And I thought Google in open-minded people. Apparently I was wrong.

Posted by Agne Serp. on 09/30/2009 @ 09:09PM PT
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Miss serp...

I too used to believe that google was more open minded than not...Untill my experiances on youtube along with my discovery that youtube is a subsidiary of google...Im now convinced more than ever that google is infested with bible thumpers whose foolishness may very well be the death of google.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/02/2009 @ 07:11PM PT
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I find it funny that every time someone doesn't support abortion it's automaticly called sexist or has something to do with being against women's rights.

Just because you don't support abortion doesn't mean anything against women.

Posted by Connor D. on 10/01/2009 @ 09:43PM PT
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Mr. d

Thats because more often than not...It is for those reasons...Among others.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/02/2009 @ 07:12PM PT
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No it's not. It's because some people just have different morals.

I'm pro-life, and that doesn't make me sexist at all.

People can be Pro-life or Pro-choice, either way it in no way reflects sexism. If you think it does then you are incredibly nieve or you just like putting bad labels on people who don't agree with you.

Posted by Connor D. on 10/03/2009 @ 09:11PM PT
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Mr. d...

My morals dont allow for me to be telling women what they can or cant do with their bodies or that they have to bear children when they dont want to...

I would argue that those with different morals than me are indeed sexist for the very simple reason that they do want to controll women.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 06:38PM PT
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I'm responding to the question, "Since when did it become okay for Google to determine that abortion is controversial?" First of all, since Google runs their own website, they have every right to decide what is too controversial for them to accept as advertising. It is okay for them to decide the controversiality of topics because it is their website. They are deciding it for themselves, not for anyone else. Second of all, who is Ms. Nedeau to tell Google that abortion is "just anther medical procedure"? Many people would disagree with that statement, and Google does not answer to her. Would Ms. Neadeau have become angry if Google decided that pro-life ads were too controversial to accept? I would also like to address Mr. Berg on what he calls "the biasness they've shown towards Bible thumpers on Youtube". There is no bias whatsoever towards Christians on Youtube. Go to liveaction.org, a pro-life organization, and read what they wrote about Youtube unfairly removing their video. It seems to me like Change.org is running out of ideas. But, in terms of women's rights, how about looking into what happens to Christian women in Muslim nations, like Iran?

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/02/2009 @ 04:22PM PT
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I agree with you Vinny, when you run your own frigging buisness you are within your rights to decide what you want and don't want on your website.

I bet if Google took down all links oposing abortion the feminist movement would be writing an article about how wonderful Google is. But if Google dare decide to do the opposite then OMG ITS SEXIST.

I find that horrible, and very immature. Google has every right to decide what is and isn't on their site. Just like I'm sure Jen decides what is or isn't going to be on this blog.

I'm anti-infant circumcision, I know if I were running a site I wouldn't post any link advertising a procedure that harms infants. Just like Google has the right not to support killing of fetuses.

Posted by Connor D. on 10/03/2009 @ 09:16PM PT
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I would imagine mr. d that if the opposite were to occur then all of you bible thumpers would be just as upset with google as miss nedeau is.

In other words...How would you feel and/or react if google ignored christian advertising altogether in favor of pagan advertising ?

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 06:52PM PT
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Correction: my comment about Youtube was a response to Mr. McHugh, not Mr. Berg. My apologies.

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/02/2009 @ 04:33PM PT
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Not a problem mr. ambrosino...

However, while it is true that google has every right to determine whats on their sites, if as with youtube, theyre gonna claim that they support everyone's right to an opinion then they become moraly if not legaly obligated to not show bias towards any one group at the expense of other groups.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/02/2009 @ 07:16PM PT
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Mr. McHugh,

How is Google, by choosing what they will and will not advertise, taking away anyone's right to an opinion? They are not saying that people cannot have their own opinion on abortion, they are simply saying that in these countires, they believe it is best not to endorse abortion. Would you consider it the removal of a right to an opinion if they had chosen not to accept pro-life ads? Would that be showing bias you would disapprove of? Also, as a final question, what about Christianity do you consider to be foolish?

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/02/2009 @ 07:51PM PT
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1 : The same way they would if they refused to show ads promoting christianity.

2 : In what way are they endorsing something by showing ads for it ?

3 : Yes.

4 : Yes if I understand this question correctly.

5 : Not foolish mr. ambrasino...At least as far as regular christianity goes.

Fundemental christianity on the other hand isnt just foolish but inherently evil.

Why ?

Because fundemental christians aint satisfied with just living their faith for themselves...They consistantly want to force it on others by legislating their "morality" into secular law.

Not only in regards to women's rights but gay rights as well is this amply illustrated.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 06:49PM PT
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1) When did I say that if Google refused to accept Christian ads that they would be taking away the right to a Christian opinion? I thought I made it clear that they can accept or refuse whatever ads they want to, because it is their website.

2) They might not be endorsing abortion, but they would certainly be accepting it.

3) I repesct you for saying that you would stand against the removal of pro-life ads, but at the same time I also find it hard to believe when you call pro-lifers "Bible thumpers".

4) If you don't consider Christianity foolish, then why did you say to Mr. berg that "it wont be long before you and those like you destroy your own foolish religion"?

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/07/2009 @ 06:51PM PT
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Mr. ambrasino...

1 : I wasnt accusing you of saying anything.

2 : How would they be accepting it ?

3 and 4 : There is a difference between christians who live their faith without trying to force it onto others and fundemental christians who do try to force their faith onto others.

True christians are those who live their faith with the understanding that the best way to lead others to jesus is by example...Not legislation of their morality into secular law or by denying equality to others who dont believe as they do...I dont consider true christians to be foolish.

Fundemental christians on the other hand have the attitude of "do as I say whether I do it or not" and its these kinds of folks that I consider foolish for the simple reason that they are giving christianity as a whole a bad reputation.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/11/2009 @ 03:06AM PT
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2) How would they be accepting it? The ads tell Google users about abortion services! There is no way a company can show its customers where they can get a service without accepting the service.

3) You are correct in saying that the best way to lead others to Christ is by witnessing to them but not forcing in on them. However, true Christians also realize that the Bible says that God will avenge the murder of the innocent. Abortion is the murder of the innocent and defenseless. True Christians do not want the blood of another 50 million dead human beings (made in God's image) to be on the hands of this great nation. This is why most Christians are pro life and maybe why you take it as us forcing our religion on others. But, what we are trying to do is prevent God's wrath from falling on the United States. We want God's blessing on America, not His anger.

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/14/2009 @ 03:22PM PT
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I'm impressed that Google is finally doing something which is ethically correct.

I'm always surprised that the same people that insist on saving a spotted owl at the expense of someone else will also insist that it is "their body" and "their choice". How is it that they became so interested in their own rights, when they take choices from others without just compensation.

We need to be more consistent in our stances. If it's a choice, then stay away from my healthcare coverage and stop forcing recycling down other people's throats. Recycling, I support, but not at the barrel of a gun.

Also, admit that your choice is killing a baby, but the mother's choice takes precedence. I'm sure, when this generation is older and we become a burden, our children will make similar ethical choices.

Posted by Chuck Reynolds on 10/03/2009 @ 12:19PM PT
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Mr. reynolds...

Would you feel as comfortable with letting women say that you couldnt do something with your body as you apparently are with telling them what they cant do with theirs ?

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 06:54PM PT
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I agree with Mr. Reynolds. If abortion is a private family matter that the government shouldn't get involved in, then why did the government legalize it, and why is the government funding it with our tax money? That's a lot of involvement in something the government is supposed to leave between the mother and her doctor.

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/04/2009 @ 02:17PM PT
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Thats the thing mr. ambrasino...

The goverment wouldnt have gotten involved IF you bible thumpers hadnt tried so hard to make your religious beliefs into secular law which not only violated the first amendment but also violated the rights of many women that didnt believe as you folks did/do.

As for the "Public funding of stuff you dont like" argument...

I find that incredibly laughable considering that I dont like my tax dollars being used to support churches that then take that money and uses it to foster discrimination instead of what it was meant for...To help the down and out.

But you see sir...Thats the price that we all pay for being american citizens in a democratic republic nation and I personaly believe that the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 07:00PM PT
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Mr. McHugh,

I could easily say that anyone who supports abortion violates the right of unborn human beings. I didn't say anything about the "public funding of stuff I didn't like". Presdient Barack Obama's stance on abrtion is that is a private family matter. This can be found on the president's website, whitehouse.gov. If it is a private family matter, then why is the government getting involved? Treat it like a private family matter, and stop funding it! I can assure you, sir, that a lot more tax money goes to funding abortion than goes to the support of churches that "uses it to foster discrimination instead of what it was meant for...To help the down and out".

However, I do agree with you that whatever price we pay is worth it to live in a Democratic Republic, and that the benefits by a landslide outweigh the negatives.

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/07/2009 @ 07:01PM PT
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Mr. ambrasino...

"why is the government funding it with our tax money?"

That right there sounds to me like your complaining about how your taxes are being spent which is another way of complaining about having to fund stuff you dont like.

The problem with treating it like a "private family matter" is that you pro-lifers wont respect the privacy of those who choose to have an abortion which because of that lack of respect, takes it out of the privacy arena and puts it in the social arena which again has made it neccessary for the goverment to step in, in order to protect the civil rights of those who dont believe as you do...

Catch 22...You cant have your cake and eat it too.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/11/2009 @ 03:12AM PT
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Mr. McHugh,

Pro choicers are the ones who say that because a woman is dealing with just her own body (which she isn't, she is dealing with a separate human being), abortion is a private matter and thus must be legal and stay between the mother and her doctor.

However, I find it funny that you tell me that pro lifers can't have their cake and eat it too, when most pro choicers support the public funding of what they simultaneously call a private matter. $350,000,000 of American tax money a year goes to Planned Parenthood.

You also tell me that pro lifers have a lack of respect. Anyone who is pro choice has no respect for human life. Abortion takes away life from an innocent, defenseless human being who will never have a chance to live, let alone contribute to the world beacuse of the abortion. Death is a harsh penalty for someone who hasn't done anything wrong.

And you're telling me that pro lifers attack the civil rights of people who don't believe as us? Do you think pro choicers attack the right to life?

Posted by Vinny Ambrosino on 10/14/2009 @ 03:39PM PT
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After reading through the long list of arguments, here's the only question I have...when did we stop living in a country in which if we did not agree with what a company stood for or advertised we could not choose not to utilize or support it?

Mr. McHugh, I can understand your disappointment in the Google company, however, they are far from being the ONLY search site available, so...search elsewhere. I don't agree with what a lot of companies support or value, so I shop elsewhere. I suggest you do the same rather than trying just as hard as Mr. Ambrosino to "force" your views on the subject. If you truly believed everyone had a right to their opinion, as you seem to stand so firmly upon, follow your own reasoning. A wise man once said "the best test of truth is the power of thought to get itself accepted in the marketplace of ideas". If it (Mr. Ambrosino's apparent force of religion down the throats of others) is accepted by others, allow them to accept it. In the same way you hope to create "open minds" in an "I'm ok, you're ok, we're all ok" type of world, Mr. Ambrosino is trying to persuade others to a world view based on his beliefs. If you don't like them stop listening and certainly stop trying to change his mind or choice of expression. You've become the hypocrite good sir.

Posted by Col Rye on 10/17/2009 @ 07:35PM PT
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lol.. true Mr. Rye, that's what I said, but when was Mr. Ambrosino "shoving" his religion down other people's throats in the first place???

Posted by Gabriella Noneya on 10/28/2009 @ 10:41PM PT
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It's google's CHOICE as to whether or not they want to display the ads.

Anyone pro-choice should understand that!

Posted by Brandon Arnold on 11/09/2009 @ 09:59AM PT
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Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.