Google Preventing U.S. Users from Disabling SafeSearch

Google Preventing U.S. Users from Disabling SafeSearch

www.webpronews.com

If you’re in the U.S. and trying to search for boobs on Google Images right now, you’re out of luck. That’s because it appears that Google is preventing U.S. users from disabling SafeSearch.

Google users should be familiar with the SafeSearch toolbar at the top right of Image searches. Until recently, that bar allowed users to select MODERATE, STRICT, or OFF. As of right now, those options have been removed from the drop-down menu – but only in the U.S. it seems.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Now I'm not one to go up looking for xxx stuff on google. But this threw me. What... who is to tell anyone what they can or can not look up on Google or any other site?

Granted, the article is revised after the author spoke to Google: apparently those in the US can modify their safe search, but you have to go and type in your query in a very matter of fact way.

But yes, I see the drop down for the safe search is gone for the US now. Totally gone. Yet from what I read, it is still there in all other Countries.

Tell me something, ATS: I'm fine with them doing a better filter because sometimes I have looked up things and snuggled within are nsfw things, so this IS good for kids and the easily offended. But come on. Taking off the choice to have filters on or off just for the US is just..... is it censorship? Is it the start of 'taking over the net'? Because this really seems like it right now.

www.webpronews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Looks like your option is On or Off.
Off of course is best.

reply to post by grey580


Yeah, I don't get it. What's the point? Either you wanna see nudity, or you don't. It's not "Maybe I wanna get some sideboob or something while I'm busy looking at shirt designs."

Maybe it's just me.

reply to post by sarra1833

is it censorship? Is it the start of 'taking over the net'? Because this really seems like it right now.

It's their software, they can do with it what they want. It would only constitute censorship if Google were our only option for accessing the filtered content.

Of course, we can switch to a new search engine.

Originally posted by LewsTherinThelamon
reply to post by sarra1833

 

is it censorship? Is it the start of 'taking over the net'? Because this really seems like it right now.

It's their software, they can do with it what they want. It would only constitute censorship if Google were our only option for accessing the filtered content.

Of course, we can switch to a new search engine.

a good point indeed.

I'm so used to Google. It will be odd to switch. I'd switch just on principle though. But I refuse to use yahoo search. Can't stand how it's set up.

reply to post by sarra1833


I think startpage is a pretty decent search engine

ixquick is another good one

I've seen so much outrage over this today, it is hilarious.

1. Google is a private company, they can do what they want. If it loses them web traffic, I'm sure they will change it.

2. You can still search for your "boobs", but now you have to be a bit more specific and search for "naked boobs".

3. This is a GOOD thing, too many non-sexual searches have popped up some very very hardcore images in the past.


Bottom line, calm down...if you still want to search for your porn, you can, you just have to be more specific.

I switched to duckduckgo from Google because they don't bubble nor track you. The bubble is when you only get search-results that only fit for you. Like a conservative will get different results than a liberal. Those two things are pretty serious.

And, now Google has started with censorship. It's a bad sign. Makes me even more glad I went with DuckDuckGo.

This has very little to do with boobs, and a whole lot to do with the worlds largest provider of search results actively filtering (if you think the filter is some giant porn filter, you are selling the architechs and engineers very short).

A lot of people view google results even without being on google.com directly, some of your favorite providers of results simply parse google data; we have essentially been eating out of there hand for the better part of the decade thats power... and now in not just this move but others they appear to be wielding that power against the user (think of all the recen privacy issues against the user and now this restricting of information)

you are right, it's off. I googled zoe voss and only got skimpy outfits.

if you follow safe search it will tell you how to turn it off. It's not hard.
Just go to google preference page.. it's all there if you click the safe search button.

Searching google images for the word "coughing" still shows a lot of people giving oral to the invisible man. Not so safe searching there!!!

I know, I am sorry...

/me walks away....

No problems on my end... and i'm in the US

reply to post by xedocodex

Bottom line, calm down...if you still want to search for your porn, you can, you just have to be more specific.

It is not the content that matters, it is the principle behind Google's motivation that is important.

They seem to have adjusted the menu thats all ...here is the way to disable....Disable the SafeSearch filter

Here's how to disable SafeSearch:
1.Visit the Google Preferences page.
2.In the "SafeSearch Filtering" section, select Do not filter my search results.
3.Click Save Preferences.

Originally posted by komp_uk
Searching google images for the word "coughing" still shows a lot of people giving oral to the invisible man. Not so safe searching there!!!

I know, I am sorry...

/me walks away....

Thanks, now that is all I can think of when I see someone coughing.

Works for me. It looks like they are just upgrading the options menu.

reply to post by sarra1833


yeah its pissing me off its even on I.E too wtf im angry I disabled it and it comes back
sorry for the one liner.

Originally posted by xedocodex
2. You can still search for your "boobs", but now you have to be a bit more specific and search for "naked boobs".

Yep, that worked alright.

Everybody can rest easy.

This is why I use Bing.

~Heff