Many smartphone manufacturers provide their new products to bloggers for reviews, and Google is no exception. However, this year the company found itself at the center of a media scandal due to new terms of cooperation that many reviewers did not like.
The Team Pixel program allows bloggers to receive new devices before the official launch in order to have time to review. However, in 2024, a new clause appeared in the rules of the program, which caused a wave of indignation. He noted that participants are obliged to promote Google Pixel devices and avoid comparisons in favor of competitors. In case of violation of this condition, Google threatened to stop cooperation with bloggers.
This change caused considerable criticism , and some bloggers, like Kevin Nether of the YouTube channel Tech Ninja, decided to leave the program. After public backlash, Google issued an official clarification, saying the new condition only applied to the Team Pixel program, run by PR agency 1000heads, and did not affect traditional media reviews. No cross-brand restrictions were imposed on the media.
As a result, the disputed clause was removed from Team Pixel's terms, although it is currently unknown whether it will return in a modified form.