Google is calling out 'upsetting and offensive' content

Google has updated their ranking manual to include setting a site's "Upsetting/Offensive" rating.

searchengineland.com...

www.theguardian.com...

Google is now officially in the business of taking a user's feelings into account in their algorithms. Their primary example is of a search about the holocaust bringing up a popular holocaust denier website. Citing that holocaust denial has a strong link to antisemitism, and thus has a high probability of being offensive. I don't know if that's true and I don't really care. What I find upsetting and offensive is that people are expecting Google (and other tech giants) to do critical thinking for them, and the slippery slope of censorship that follows. You have doubts about the 'settled science' of climate change? Well that's offensive so we won't let you see that discussion. Trust us. It's offensive.

a reply to: Templeton

Unfortunately they have every right to do this.

Google is a company, not a public service. They do what's in the best interest of the share holders.

It is our responsibility as consumers to recognize when we use a product or service that bias may be incorporated.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

How is this in the best interest of shareholders ??

Maybe they can stop promoting terrorist propaganda websites when searching for anything going on in Syria then.

Don't think they will though somehow.

a reply to: ParasuvO

I don't work for Google nor have I been a part of this decision. If it doesn't benefit the company I expect they will change this. If not it opens the door for other search engines. That is the free market, people vote with their dollar or participation with a company like Google.

Didn't they learn anything from the PewDie Pie fiasco?

I never heard of the guy, then suddenly I realized I had just watched about 10 of his videos. All the while asking myself, "Are you serious"?

Honestly Google is a private entity allowed to do whatever they want. They aren't connected to the governor directly, and as much as I'm not down for censoring so to speak, I support their right to do it. Switch it up to another search engine.

a reply to: Templeton

I quit using Google.

I don't want them filtering content because I might get offended.

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: Templeton

I quit using Google.

I don't want them filtering content because I might get offended.

Well there you go, issue solved.

a reply to: Templeton

There's a lot of hubris in Google. They're globally important and are partnered up with Intel agencies across the 'Five Eyes' nations. With all that power should come responsibility and I wonder where they believe it should begin or end?

I disagree with holocaust denial as much as I disagree with people posting hate and malice on websites. Most people do.

Nevertheless it's not their responsibility to decide what is acceptable and what isn't. It's fair enough to remove child porn, gore porn and how to build weapons from kitchen cupboard chemicals. It shouldn't be any of their business when it comes down to belief systems.

originally posted by: joshysway
Honestly Google is a private entity allowed to do whatever they want. They aren't connected to the governor directly, and as much as I'm not down for censoring so to speak, I support their right to do it. Switch it up to another search engine.

If only it was that easy. The problem is they are morphing from a search engine to an answer engine. Their 'assistant' (like Siri and Alexa) will start showing up in more and more places. Places you won't even know about. An app that gives health care advice, or a boss negotiating a salary for instance. They want to minimize liability, I get that. But in doing so they are showing that they want to own the role of being the source of truth. They are so big, there isn't much that is out of their reach if they want it.

I find it hard to criticize Google for this. Its the same reason people are moving civil discourse behind pay walls, and folks live in HOA's: people would rather not deal with uncomfortable BS, and are happy to subscribe to an authority that helps manage their comfort.

Google is using a 10,000-strong army of independent contractors to flag “offensive or upsetting” content, in order to ensure that queries like “did the Holocaust happen” don’t push users to misinformation, propaganda and hate speech.

If that's the case, they should have created a flags for "misinformation", "propaganda" and "hate speech"

a reply to: Templeton

...What I find upsetting and offensive is that people are expecting Google (and other tech giants) to do critical thinking for them, and the slippery slope of censorship that follows. You have doubts about the 'settled science' of climate change? Well that's offensive so we won't let you see that discussion. Trust us. It's offensive.

No kidding! But meanwhile, sites that rely on ads are dependent on ratings... What goes around come around.

Looks like some camouflage might be in order. Maybe ATS can start a mini-course teaching members how to insult others using Shakespearean language?

originally posted by: soficrow
a reply to: Templeton

...What I find upsetting and offensive is that people are expecting Google (and other tech giants) to do critical thinking for them, and the slippery slope of censorship that follows. You have doubts about the 'settled science' of climate change? Well that's offensive so we won't let you see that discussion. Trust us. It's offensive.

No kidding! But meanwhile, sites that rely on ads are dependent on ratings... What goes around come around.

Looks like some camouflage might be in order. Maybe ATS can start a mini-course teaching members how to insult others using Shakespearean language?

"Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver’d boy"



I like it.

originally posted by: Ohanka

originally posted by: soficrow
a reply to: Templeton

...What I find upsetting and offensive is that people are expecting Google (and other tech giants) to do critical thinking for them, and the slippery slope of censorship that follows. You have doubts about the 'settled science' of climate change? Well that's offensive so we won't let you see that discussion. Trust us. It's offensive.

No kidding! But meanwhile, sites that rely on ads are dependent on ratings... What goes around come around.

Looks like some camouflage might be in order. Maybe ATS can start a mini-course teaching members how to insult others using Shakespearean language?

"Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver’d boy"

I like it.

Or biblical language...

Acts 7:51New International Version (NIV)

51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors:You always resist the Holy Spirit!

a reply to: Templeton

What if I find Google to be upsetting and offensive?