A subsidiary company of 360 Security Technology Inc was fined with the maximum penalty of 2 million yuan ($305,200) on Tuesday by the Beijing municipal market supervision and administration bureau, after 360 Search was exposed for promoting false medical advertisement.
After conducting a probe, the Beijing municipal market supervision and administrative bureau ruled that 360 Security Technology’s subsidiary was accountable for the illicit online advertising content, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Tuesday.
The advertising agency involved in the case needed to submit the content for the subsidiary to review and approval, through the “360 Dianjing AD system” before getting uploaded online, according to the Beijing Youth Daily, adding that the subsidiary did not implement an advertising review, and failed to verify the content which resulted in the release of false advertisement.
The subsidiary was fined with the maximum penalty of 2 million yuan and the evidence of the related advertising agency was transferred to the local market supervision department for record.
360 Search apologized and released a statement on its official Weibo account on Tuesday in response to the fine, stating that the company would accept the penalty and actively cooperate with authorities for rectification.
360 Search was denounced for publishing those false medical advertisements to influence users’ choices on March 15, the World Consumer Rights Day, on a television program, produced by CCTV.
360 Search.Photo: CFP
