05 August 2009
It has been claimed that Microsoft's new search engine Bing is a haven for illegal businesses operating online pharmacies. An investigation reported by the Register revealed that almost 9 in 10 sponsored links advertising prescription drugs through Bing are in direct violation of US laws.
The decision engine, was intended by Microsoft as a direct competitor to Google's dominance in the search engine market, but it's clear that unlawful enterprises are exploiting the service as it overcomes its teething problems.
A joint investigation was carried out by Knujon ('no junk' spelled backwards) and Legitscript, who spent the past month entering search terms for prescription drugs into Bing and monitoring the resulting advertisements. Their conclusion is that 89.7 percent of businesses currently advertising prescription drugs through Bing are operating illegally.
Ten serious offenders found to be operated by criminal networks were examined in depth. These advertisers sold counterfeit drugs, including addictive medications, without requirement of a prescription from the buyer. The researchers ordered and received drugs from two of these sites, at least one of which, claiming to be Cialis, was found to be counterfeit.
Many of the advertisers sold drugs from India and other countries in violation of US law, while other sites were found to be operated by members of a Russian criminal gang. Other sites purported to be those of legitimate, reputable companies, but clicking on their sponsored link led browsers to illegal rogue sites.
Microsoft's guidelines require online pharmacies to comply with US federal and state laws, but a Microsoft representative has thus far declined to comment.
As Microsoft's answer to Google and a major financial investment for the company, Bing is up against tough competition and needs to overcome these initial obstacles to gain acceptance as a viable alternative. A continuing investigation into Bing, as well as other major search engines, will be the subject of further reports.
Bing provides haven for illegal drug suppliers
It has been claimed that Microsoft's new search engine Bing is a haven for illegal businesses operating online pharmacies. An investigation reported by the Register revealed that almost 9 in 10 sponsored links advertising prescription drugs through Bing are in direct violation of US laws.The decision engine, was intended by Microsoft as a direct competitor to Google's dominance in the search engine market, but it's clear that unlawful enterprises are exploiting the service as it overcomes its teething problems.
A joint investigation was carried out by Knujon ('no junk' spelled backwards) and Legitscript, who spent the past month entering search terms for prescription drugs into Bing and monitoring the resulting advertisements. Their conclusion is that 89.7 percent of businesses currently advertising prescription drugs through Bing are operating illegally.
Ten serious offenders found to be operated by criminal networks were examined in depth. These advertisers sold counterfeit drugs, including addictive medications, without requirement of a prescription from the buyer. The researchers ordered and received drugs from two of these sites, at least one of which, claiming to be Cialis, was found to be counterfeit.
Many of the advertisers sold drugs from India and other countries in violation of US law, while other sites were found to be operated by members of a Russian criminal gang. Other sites purported to be those of legitimate, reputable companies, but clicking on their sponsored link led browsers to illegal rogue sites.
Microsoft's guidelines require online pharmacies to comply with US federal and state laws, but a Microsoft representative has thus far declined to comment.
As Microsoft's answer to Google and a major financial investment for the company, Bing is up against tough competition and needs to overcome these initial obstacles to gain acceptance as a viable alternative. A continuing investigation into Bing, as well as other major search engines, will be the subject of further reports.
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