Newsweek still battling PR nightmare from fraud accusations, malicious computer code on IB Times
Social Puncher made an independent audit of the federal US government biggest spending in advertising and found fraud with the website Ibtimes.com, a subsidiary publisher of Newsweek. Now Newsweek Media Group announced Tuesday evening that a piece of computer code “disrupted ad tracking and ad viewability” on its International Business Times websites in the United Kingdom, India and Singapore.
“The NMG IT team identified these codes and removed them promptly,” stated the press release. “NMG is also conducting an internal investigation to identify the individuals responsible and will take the necessary action.”
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The company’s U.S. sites, including Newsweek.com, were apparently not affected by the problematic code.
The admission comes after a BuzzFeed News report last month revealed that investigations by multiple ad technology firms found that several of the publisher’s sites were buying traffic and engaging in ad fraud. At the time the company denied any fraudulent activity.
A recent Journal story revealed new details about an investigation into NMG by the Manhattan District Attorney, including that the DA is now looking into reports of ad fraud.
Less than 20 minutes after issuing its press release about malicious code, the company sent another release to announce new appointments and a “strategic investment” in Newsweek, which NMG CEO Dev Pragad called the “the jewel in our crown.”
TAG CEO Mike Zaneis told BuzzFeed News that it has “just begun working with Newsweek.”
“We believe they are committed to not only responding to the current problems exposed on their sites, but also in developing a proactive strategy for making them safer long term. TAG can be a partner for any publisher in that endeavor,” he said.
Tim Pool posted a great video summarizing the issues and accusations, check it out below.
“IF this is true, then Newsweek is absolutely desperate,” Pool stated, after cautioning viewers to just reserve judgment until the facts become more clear.
“It’s pretty interesting to see large media companies at each other’s throats,” Pool adds, pointing then to more attacks via the Daily Beast.
