--- title: "Pixalate Week in Review: February 17 - 21, 2020" description: Pixalate reviews this week's news in the programmatic ad fraud space. Find the most critical ad tech and privacy news from 17-21 February 2020. image: https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/google-play-store.png --- [![pixalate-full-logo](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixalate_Logos/pixalate-full-logo.jpg?width=150&height=60&name=pixalate-full-logo.jpg "pixalate-full-logo")](https://www.pixalate.com) Search **Menu** ** ** ![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/google-play-store.png) [Weekly Recaps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/weekly-recaps) | 2 min read # Pixalate Week in Review: February 17 - 21, 2020 Written by [Pixalate](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/author/pixalate) Feb 21, 2020 5:00:00 PM This week's review of ad fraud and quality in the digital advertising space. ### **1: 330% global rise in OTT/CTV programmatic advertising in 2019** [![global-programmatic-ott-ctv-advertising-2019](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/global-programmatic-ott-ctv-advertising-2019.png?width=600&name=global-programmatic-ott-ctv-advertising-2019.png)](https://info.pixalate.com/ott-ctv-programmatic-ad-supply-trends-2019) The Connected TV (CTV) and over-the-top (OTT) programmatic advertising landscape went through a phrase of rapid growth in 2019, according to Pixalate's [State of Connected TV/OTT: 2019 Ad Supply Trends Report](https://info.pixalate.com/ott-ctv-programmatic-ad-supply-trends-2019). According to Pixalate's data, between Q1 2019 and Q4 2019, global programmatic OTT/CTV ad impressions increase 4.3x — or 330%.  [![Download Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2364596/e5facfc8-a86e-422f-abbb-521649d40a1e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2364596/e5facfc8-a86e-422f-abbb-521649d40a1e) ### **2. Google bans nearly 600 apps for 'disruptive' ads** ![google-play-store](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/google-play-store.png?width=600&name=google-play-store.png) "Google has removed close to 600 Android apps and banned their developers from the Play store and its ad networks as part of a massive crackdown on ad fraud and '[disruptive'](https://play.google.com/about/monetization-ads/ads/#!?zippy_activeEl=disruptive#disruptive) mobile ads," reported [BuzzFeed News](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-bans-android-apps-disruptive-ads). Learn more about delisted apps in [Pixalate's 2019 Mobile Ad Supply Chain Safety Report](https://info.pixalate.com/mobile-advertising-supply-chain-safety-report-2019). ### **3. Brands get more transparent with data collection** ![big-data-collection-numbers](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/big-data-collection-numbers.png?width=600&name=big-data-collection-numbers.png) "Recent data privacy regulations have forced app publishers and brands to provide clear descriptions on how and what location data they collect, but many have already embraced transparency," reported [eMarketer](https://content-na1.emarketer.com/brands-are-getting-more-transparent-about-data-collection). ### **4. New ad fraud scam targets Google AdSense publishers** **![google-adsense](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/google-adsense.png?width=600&name=google-adsense.png)** "A new email-based extortion scheme apparently is making the rounds, targeting Web site owners serving banner ads through Google’s AdSense program," reported [Krebs on Security](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/02/pay-up-or-well-make-google-ban-your-ads/). "In this scam, the fraudsters demand bitcoin in exchange for a promise not to flood the publisher’s ads with so much bot and junk traffic that Google’s automated anti-fraud systems suspend the user’s AdSense account for suspicious traffic." ### **5. Interview with BuzzFeed News' Craig Silverman on digital ad fraud ** ![q-a-qa-question-answer-q&a](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/q-a-qa-question-answer-q%26a.png?width=600&name=q-a-qa-question-answer-q%26a.png) [The Drum](https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2020/02/20/buzzfeeds-fake-news-guy-craig-silverman-digital-advertisings-tons-bad-actors) interviewed Craig Silverman of BuzzFeed News, who has broken several ad fraud stories over the past couple of years, including Pixalate's recent discovery of an OTT/CTV ad fraud scheme dubbed "[DiCaprio](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/grindr-roku-apps-ad-fraud-scheme)." "Silverman believes the ad industry needs to work harder to identify the corrupt elements in its midst," wrote The Drum, before quoting Silverman as saying: “These are really trust-destroying things that are taking place in the ecosystem and it’s something people working in the industry really need to think about as a problem that they need to have a role in helping solve.” ### Search Blog Search ### Follow Pixalate ### Subscribe to our blog *By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use ](https://www.pixalate.com/terms)and [Privacy Policy.](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) Previous Story [← 330% global rise in OTT/CTV programmatic advertising in 2019](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/ott-ctv-programmatic-advertising-2019-trends) [** ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog) Next Story [232% rise in programmatic-supported OTT/CTV apps in 18 months →](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/ott-ctv-apps-support-programmatic-advertising-increase) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Weekly Recaps [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/pixalate-week-review-june-13.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-20-2025) [Weekly Recaps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/weekly-recaps) ### [Pixalate Week in Review: June 16 - June 20, 2025](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-20-2025) Jun 20, 2025 11:09:13 AM | 3 min read [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/pixalate-week-review-june-13.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-13-2025) [Weekly Recaps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/weekly-recaps) ### [Pixalate Week in Review: June 9 - June 13, 2025](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-13-2025) Jun 13, 2025 11:39:50 AM | 3 min read [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/June-6-Pixalate-Recap.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-6-2025) [Weekly Recaps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/weekly-recaps) ### [Pixalate Week in Review: June 2 - June 6, 2025](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/june-6-2025) Jun 6, 2025 1:00:13 PM | 2 min read ** ### Subscribe to our blog *By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use ](https://www.pixalate.com/terms)and [Privacy Policy.](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) ![pixalate-logo-red-small](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018NewTemplate/pixalate-logo-red-small.png?width=208&name=pixalate-logo-red-small.png "pixalate-logo-red-small") ** By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) Products [Analytics](https://www.pixalate.com/products/analytics) [Blocking](https://www.pixalate.com/products/blocking) [Media Rating Terminal](https://www.pixalate.com/products/mrt) [Publisher Trust Indexes](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=publisherTrustIndex) [Seller Trust Indexes](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=publisherTrustIndex) [IoT Device Rankings](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=iotDeviceReach) Resources [Blog](https://blog.pixalate.com/) [Press](https://www.pixalate.com/press) [Careers](https://www.pixalate.com/jobs) [Team](https://info.pixalate.com/pixalate-leadership-team) Contact Email [** sales@pixalate.com ](mailto:sales@pixalate.com) [** privacy@pixalate.com ](mailto:privacy@pixalate.com) US: [** +1 888 749 2528 ](tel:+1%20888%20749%202528) EU: [** +44 (0)800 011 2050 ](tel:+44%20(0)800%20011%202050) Slack: [Join ATSAPI Slack Channel ](https://atsapi-pixalate.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-10dtow5cj-OEtlNr5yzJkrZMQUqcEEow#/shared-invite/email) Offices Global Offices US 1775 Greensboro Station Place, Suite 425, McLean, VA 22102 UK 20 North Audley Street London, W1K 6WE, United Kingdom EU 10 Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland Singapore 10 Anson Road, #22-02 International Plaza, Singapore 079903 [![facebook](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/facebook.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/pixalate) [![x](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/twitter-x.png) ](https://twitter.com/pixalateinc) [![linkedin](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pixalate) ![wechat](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/wechat.png) [![slack](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/slack.png) ](https://atsapi-pixalate.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-10dtow5cj-OEtlNr5yzJkrZMQUqcEEow#/shared-invite/email) [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) [GDPR Compliance](https://www.pixalate.com/gdpr) Disclaimer Copyright © 2025 Pixalate [Back to top **](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/programmatic-ad-fraud-news-week-in-review-february-21-2020#) # Disclaimer Disclaimer: The content of this page reflects Pixalate’s opinions with respect to the factors that Pixalate believes can be useful to the digital media industry. Any proprietary data shared is grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate’s opinions are just that - opinion, not facts or guarantees. Per the MRC, “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes. Also per the MRC, “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.” ** ** *By clicking Download and entering your email address, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and have read and acknowledge our [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/2024-08-20_Pixalate_Privacy_Policy.pdf). *Copyright © 2025 Pixalate** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * × ## Subscribe to the Pixalate Blog The first step in ad fraud prevention. Loading... By entering your email address and clicking Submit, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy). ![pixalate-logo-white](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_V2_08_26_2016/logo/Pixalate_Logo_WHITE.png) ##### Contact Us12 Loading... ![pixalate-logo-white](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_V2_08_26_2016/logo/Pixalate_Logo_WHITE.png) ##### Download GSTI Loading... Schedule your demo today Please complete all fields Loading... By entering your email address and clicking Submit, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy). * * * * *