African Times Reader Revenue Manager Policy
Last Updated: June 15, 2025
1. Introduction
This policy governs The African Times’ use of Google’s Reader Revenue Manager and related services. It defines content standards, audience restrictions, ad practices, data privacy, and legal requirements. All staff and contributors must comply to ensure a trustworthy reader experience.
2. Content Suitability & Audience
- Lawful & Respectful:
- All content must be accurate, lawful, and free of hate speech, harassment, defamation, or discrimination.
- All content must be accurate, lawful, and free of hate speech, harassment, defamation, or discrimination.
- Sensitive Topics:
- Articles on violence, sexuality, or other sensitive subjects must include a clear warning and not be targeted at minors.
- Articles on violence, sexuality, or other sensitive subjects must include a clear warning and not be targeted at minors.
- Transparency:
- No impersonation of individuals or organisations. Authorship and affiliations must be clearly stated.
- No impersonation of individuals or organisations. Authorship and affiliations must be clearly stated.
3. Age Restrictions
- No Targeting of Children Under 18:
- We do not knowingly aim content at users under 18.
- We do not knowingly aim content at users under 18.
- Personalised Ads & Minors:
- No personalised or interest‑based ads for users under 18 worldwide.
- No personalised or interest‑based ads for users under 18 worldwide.
- Adult‑Only Content (18+):
- If any section is for adults only, implement age verification or clear warnings.
- If any section is for adults only, implement age verification or clear warnings.
4. Prohibited Content
The following categories of content are strictly banned:
- Illicit or Dangerous Acts (e.g., instructions for hacking, drug manufacturing)
- Copyright Infringement (unauthorised reproductions of articles, images, videos)
- Hate or Extremism (terrorist propaganda, discrimination)
- Harassment (bullying, threats, doxxing)
- Graphic Violence (gratuitous gore without editorial context)
- Sexual Content (CSAM, pornography, paid sexual services)
- Regulated Goods (promotion of tobacco, illegal drugs)
- Deceptive Practices (phishing, fake login forms, malware)
5. Advertising & Ad Placement Standards
- Better Ads Compliance:
- Avoid disruptive formats (large sticky ads, auto-play video with sound, full-page pop-ups).
- Avoid disruptive formats (large sticky ads, auto-play video with sound, full-page pop-ups).
- Clear Labelling:
- All ads must be labelled “Advertisement” (AD) or “Sponsored.”
- All ads must be labelled “Advertisement” (AD) or “Sponsored.”
- Placement & Density:
- Maintain at least 150 px between ads and interactive elements.
- Ad quantity must not exceed relevant editorial content.
- Maintain at least 150 px between ads and interactive elements.
- Technical Requirements:
- Maintain a valid ads.txt file at https://atnews.co.za/ads.txt.
- Maintain a valid ads.txt file at https://atnews.co.za/ads.txt.
6. Data Protection & Privacy
- Privacy Policy URL:
- Cookie Consent:
- No personal data collected from users under 18 without consent.
- No personal data collected from users under 18 without consent.
7. Legal Requirements
- Terms of Service URL:
- Footer Links:
- Privacy Policy and Terms of Service must be linked in the site footer.
- Privacy Policy and Terms of Service must be linked in the site footer.
- Abuse Reporting:
- Provide clear instructions for reporting policy violations or copyright claims.
- Provide clear instructions for reporting policy violations or copyright claims.
8. Enforcement & Compliance
- Consequences:
- Violations may lead to content removal, ad demonetisation, or account suspension by Google.
- Violations may lead to content removal, ad demonetisation, or account suspension by Google.
- Review Cycle:
- Full policy review at least once per year, or immediately after any Google policy update.
- Full policy review at least once per year, or immediately after any Google policy update.
- Compliance Officer:
- A designated staff member is responsible for ongoing policy monitoring and audits.
- A designated staff member is responsible for ongoing policy monitoring and audits.
Contact: social@atnews.co.za / rampedim@atnews.co.za / info@atnews.co.za
