View this post on the web at [link removed]

CfA Report Exposes Sports Betting Industry’s Anti-Consumer Advocacy
Last week, CfA released its first report [ [link removed] ] on US gambling companies’ predatory practices—exploring how betting apps’ business models directly conflict with the implementation of consumer protections that could help minimize gambling addiction-related harms.
The report comes amid an explosion of online sports betting that has led to a rise in gambling addiction, amounting to a “public health emergency.” Despite companies’ claims of concern for customers struggling with gambling addiction, their quiet and frequent opposition to legislation that would enact commonsense consumer protections reveals a two-faced approach.
“It’s an open secret that addicted players are the gambling industry’s best customers, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that sports betting companies aren’t eager to implement controls that minimize addictiveness,” said CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith.
“Legislators need to understand that the gambling industry—like the tobacco industry before it—cannot self-regulate when profits and the addictiveness of their product is so tightly linked.”
When The Guardian covered [ [link removed] ] CfA’s report and asked the companies about the findings, they seemed rather pleased with their current ability to influence state policy. The Sports Betting Alliance said that it appreciates “invitations and opportunities to share our members’ experience and expertise with elected officials,” while DraftKings insisted that it provides lawmakers feedback that is in the “best interest of consumers.”
Look out for more to come from CfA on the issue of predatory gambling!
Google is Helping Anti-Abortion Centers Deceive Women Seeking Ultrasounds
In states with pre-abortion ultrasound requirements, some women may turn to Google to locate a clinic to schedule this legally required—but often medically unnecessary—extra appointment before they can obtain an abortion. But a new CfA investigation [ [link removed] ] found the majority of Google search ads served to women searching for pre-abortion ultrasounds in three states requiring this added step are for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), where non-medical ultrasounds do not satisfy the states’ legal requirements.
CfA created Google accounts simulating 20-year-old women living and searching for pre-abortion ultrasounds in Arizona, Florida, and Wisconsin and found, respectively, 64%, 56%, and 76% of the ads Google served were from CPCs marketing ultrasound services that would not satisfy the states’ requirements—something that neither the ads nor their destinations disclosed.
CfA’s investigation also suggests that Google may be adding to the misinformation around the necessity of pre-abortion ultrasounds by relying heavily on CPC talking points to generate some of its recently introduced, top of page “AI Overviews” in search results. Several AI Overviews overemphasized the necessity of ruling out an ectopic pregnancy before scheduling an abortion appointment—a common scare tactic used by CPCs to get women through their doors. Another advanced the CPC talking point that having an ultrasound as a first step can “prevent unnecessary abortions” by identifying an unwanted pregnancy that looks set to miscarry and terminate on its own, thus saving a woman money.
When Bloomberg covered [ [link removed] ] CfA’s report, they asked Google about the AI Overview findings, to which Google said its overviews are designed to surface “multiple perspectives on topics where there are a range of viewpoints.”
The problem, of course, is that these “viewpoints” are providing answers to medical questions based on the opinions of ideologues, not doctors.
Facebook’s Black Market for Uber and Delivery Accounts
The latest report [ [link removed] ] from CfA’s Tech Transparency Project shows that Facebook is hosting dozens of groups where people can rent or buy Uber driver accounts—allowing them to acquire driver accounts for Uber and other rideshare and delivery apps without going through the required screening process or even having a valid driver’s license.
In a comment to TTP, Uber stressed it had “robust safeguards” in place to verify drivers are who they say they are, and added social media platforms can help discourage this kind of illicit activity. Facebook did not respond to TTP’s request for comment.
Many of the Facebook groups examined by TTP had obvious names like “Uber Delivery Drivers Account for Rent,” making no secret of their activity. Inside these groups, users posted menus of Uber and DoorDash driver accounts for sale or rent, and prospective customers inquired about the availability of driver accounts in different U.S. cities, states, and overseas markets.
When TTP first began typing “uber account” into the Facebook search bar, the platform auto-suggested “uber account for rent.” In covering the report [ [link removed] ], CNN reporters discovered the same result. After a Meta spokesperson told CNN it would review the findings, Facebook ultimately removed at least five of the groups from the platform.
Thanks for reading Campaign for Accountability’s newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.
Thanks for reading Campaign for Accountability Updates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Unsubscribe [link removed]?