This is patently false. We have zero ability to vet ads as a publisher without spinning up an entire as sales department larger than my entire company. The networks we use can and do vet the ads before serving them.
Of course, you're right. It's actually very simple. You as a publisher need to verify ad networks. Ad networks should verify their ads. It's your responsibility as a publisher to find ones that do it properly. Because I, as an user, don't care about the byzantine world of advertising. I deal only with you, and if you serve me crap, I don't care if it's your subcontractor's fault. It's an implementation detail. I blame you, because I interface with you.
And you are absolutely right. We can't pass along responsibility and feign ignorance. It did take a while for us to do it right (whittle down the networks we use to the best and most responsible) and that did take some relationship building - but I'm sure glad we did.
The networks we use can and do vet
the ads before serving them.
You know this for every ad for each network... exactly how?
If they failed in this duty, would you be informed?
Do they have a duty-to-defend clause in your agreement with them such that if you are sued for serving malware in your app, the network will pay all costs for your defense and all necessary restitution?
There's a sour "we were only following orders" flavor to such an indifferent stance.
