Google Criticized over Ivory-Product Ads

Running on shopping site in Japan

Wildlife and environmental campaigners say they have asked Google to stop advertisements in Japan by companies selling ivory products.

The Environmental Investigation Agency said at an endangered species conference in Bangkok more than 10,000 ads for ivory were running on Google's Japanese shopping site. The organization said it has contacted the search giant asking for the ads to be removed.

The EIA, based in London, said the majority of the ads were for "hanko"—name seals Japanese people use to sign official documents, which are often inlaid with ivory lettering.