How Samsung Turned the Smartphone Lock Screen Into a Charitable Ad Space

Phone displays have become ‘billboards for change’ for Samsung

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In 2019, the Samsung Global Goals app launched, giving users the power to donate to United Nations (UN) backed charitable organizations simply by watching ads.

Designed to raise awareness of the UN’s 17 Global Goals (a long-term sustainability initiative to eradicate hunger, tackle inequality and clean up the planet before 2030), the app is now pre-installed in 200 million smartphones globally.

Android users can “earn” around $0.05 for every ad they watch in the app, and that revenue is then donated to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which splits the money between charitable partners and its own programs.

Another feature enables people to view ads when their mobile device is locked or charging, meaning they can interact with a greater number of videos.

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