Google in trouble after hardcore porn novels are on sale next to children’s books in their online store

Typing ‘Daddy’ for instance, brings up a number of stories about incest and rape alongside kid’s books such as ‘Mummy and Daddy‘s day with the children.’

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Google has been fiercely criticised after it was found to be featuring books about rape, bestiality and torture alongside children’s novels.
The company, whose unofficial motto is ‘don’t be evil’, is openly advertising hundreds of pornographic images and texts in the Google Play book store.
Many of these books, which appear in seemingly innocent search terms, have free samples for anyone to access.
There are no parental restriction or age verification processes in place, other than asking a child to confirm they are over 13.

 

According to a report by Steven Swinford in the Telegraph, one concerned parent wrote to her MP, Stephen Barclay, to highlight the issue after discovering that her son had been downloading the images on his phone.
After contacting Google about her concerns, she was told there was nothing the company could do.
‘I feel they are not bothered about this problem. I don’t think many parents are aware of this situation so [they] are unable to keep their children safe, as Google keeps advertising,’ she said in her letter to Mr Barclay.

‘We regret that some inappropriate sexually graphic books made their way into Google Play,' a Google spokesperson told MailOnline.
'We have a strict policy to remove books that violate our guidelines and we are taking action to improve our processes.'

Google is featuring sexually explicit books alongside children's novels. There are no parental restriction or age verification processes in place, other than asking a child to confirm they are over 13

Google’s books policy permits sexually explicit material as well as images of ‘sexually suggestive nudity.’
However, it states: ‘We require publishers to set such books to "0 per cent viewable" by contacting us and also to charge at least $1.00 or the local equivalent for these books.
‘This helps to ensure that users under the age of 18 aren't able to access this content, as the Checkout process requires use of a valid credit card.’

Google's books policy permits sexually explicit material as well as images of 'sexually suggestive nudity'

Brandon Cook, lead officer for age-restricted products at the Trading Standards Institute said the same issue is present in shops.
'It's the same as going into a book shop,' he told MailOnline. 'Owners might take a moral stance, but there is no law that stops someone from buying an adult book.'
'It's peculiar. For some reason, printed literature or now the equivalent has never been picked up in the same way films are picked up.
'I don’t know if there will be a change in the law, because when you talk about online, you’re talking about worldwide stuff and it’s a whole minefield...I don't think anyone really knows the answer.'