Google warned over rogue drug ads

Google was repeatedly warned by a group of state regulators and industry watchdogs that many of the online drugstores advertising on its network were violating US laws, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether Google employees knowingly accepted business from illegal drug sellers which, legal experts say, could open it up to allegations that it aided illegal online activity.

According to inside sources, reveals USA Market News, as part of criminal investigation, secret agents for the Food and Drug Administration made contact with Google, acting as representatives from rogue Internet pharmacies.

It was not clear what kind of proof was gathered through the action and why Justice Department prosecutors, who were operating with the FDA, took notice of Google activities.

Cnet reports that these repeated warnings are likely put Google in an awkward spot. If regulators can prove that the company knowingly took ads from illegal online pharmacies, and did so for several years, the fines could be immense.