Ireland’s deputy PM wins legal action against Google over fake crypto ads

Ireland Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin has effectively taken legal action against Google, forcing them to reveal the identities of individuals responsible for misleading crypto ads.

Martin, the leader of the Fianna Fáil party, alleged that these advertisements, displayed on reputable websites, falsely linked him to a cryptocurrency scam through fabricated news articles. Legal proceedings were initiated against Google Ireland Ltd and its parent company, Google LLC, with Martin seeking to unmask the creators of these adverts. 

Martin’s legal team informed the High Court of a settlement. As a result, Google has agreed, without objection, to several court orders benefitting Martin. These orders compel Google to provide Martin with detailed information about the disputed adverts. This includes the names, email addresses, phone numbers, financial account details linked to the adverts, and any IP addresses used to access the accounts for their publication. This information must be handed over within a 21-day timeframe.

Additionally, Google may notify the account owners responsible for the adverts about their intention to disclose this information to Martin. This move aligns with Google’s standard practices in similar situations.

In his affidavit, Martin detailed that the ads appeared on well-known Irish websites such as the Irish Times, Irish Independent, and Done Deal last July. The adverts were linked to extensive, fake news-like articles. One ad depicted Martin with luxury items and provocative text, while another showed him in a public setting with misleading statements about him wanting to share a ‘possibility’ with the people of Ireland.