YouTube slammed over unskippable ad for ‘steroids without prescription’ on videos of KITTENS
The Google-owned video site has angered parents for seemingly promoting illegal drugs on videos that may have been seen by children
YOUTUBE is encouraging viewers to "order steroids" with an unskippable advertisement on videos, The Sun has learned.
One user told us his children were forced to watch the full 49-second ad before being able to see a video of kittens.
Anabolic steroids are a dangerous way to build muscle mass very quickly, and are controlled as Class C substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the UK.
But the rogue YouTube ad for steroids promised "fast results" with "no side effects".
The ad also said users could get the drugs with "no prescription" – which is illegal in Britain.
The Sun saw the ads pop up on Saturday morning, but other YouTube users have been complaining about the issue on Twitter since Wednesday, March 14.
YouTube is a free video service, so Google – which owns the site – places advertisements before videos to generate cash.
Often it's possible to skip a YouTube ad after watching it for five seconds.
But some ads – including this promotion to "order steroids" – have to be watched in full.
This particular ad lasted nearly a minute, and was impossible to skip.
The Sun found the video placed alongside a travel vlog about China.
But one outraged parent wrote: "Holy f**k Google / YouTube, my kids were watching this kitten video and an unskippable/forced ad was promoting 'legal steroids'?"
"They actually have to see the whole ad before they can watch a kitten video. Seriously?"
The upset dad revealed to The Sun that it was that featured the steroids ad.
He also told us that his kids are aged just 11 and 12 years old, and said: "After seeing that unskippable ad, they had so many questions. Had a lot of explaining to do afterwards."
It's important to note that when you click the ad, you're presented with "legal alternatives" to steroids, rather than the real thing.
However, YouTube's advertisement offers the opportunity "buy steroids" without the need for a prescription.
The names of the products are very similar to actual steroids too.
For instance, one fitness supplement is called 'D-Bal', which sounds similar to 'D-Bol', the street name for the steroid Dianabol.
Then there's 'Trenorol", which sounds like a mix of steroids Trenbolone and Dianabol.
The ad took users to a fitness gear website called Crazy Bulk, which promises to help you "build your ultimate body fast".
YouTube told The Sun that it had "taken action" on the ad following our report.
A spokesperson added: "We have policies in place to govern which ads may appear on YouTube.
"We enforce these policies rigorously and when a violation is brought to our attention, we take swift action."
This isn't the first time YouTube has been caught up in an advertising controversy.
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Back in September, the site was accused of cashing in on "child exploitation" clips by placing ads on videos of children in disturbing situations.
Then in November, the company was warned of being in danger of becoming a "sweet shop for paedophiles" for making money from clips of scantily clad children.
Have you seen any dodgy ads on YouTube lately? If so, let us know in the comments!
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