Australian abortion provider says new Google policy will make it harder to advertise services

Tech firm will require global telemedicine services to register with Portland, Oregon-based certifications company LegitScript

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The Australian abortion and contraception provider MSI says Google is forcing the organisation to pay thousands of dollars a year to a third-party US company to keep advertising its telehealth services in Google search.

Under a new health and medicines policy introduced by Google in May, providers offering telemedicine services globally must be certified and comply with local laws. From August providers in Australia will be required to register with the Portland, Oregon-based certifications provider LegitScript to keep advertising their services.

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