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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Interesting thoughts.
12
Interesting thoughts.
2010-09-12, 4:10 PM #1
Google censors it's auto-updating search (while you type in your query) for certain categories of search... even when the safe search is off and I am logged in with a google account.

Now, I am an adult and I know no children use my computer. Doesn't seem quite right.

Censor some things and invariably you'll have to censor more and more. It's the nature of the beast.

Crazy, I really used to think this stuff only would happen in 1984-esque Sci-Fi novels.
2010-09-12, 4:25 PM #2
Got any examples?
the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot - LC Tusken
2010-09-12, 4:52 PM #3
(when he's looking for gay army porn)
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2010-09-12, 6:05 PM #4
Google has "censored" it's suggested search terms for a while now, so this isn't really anything new.
2010-09-12, 9:38 PM #5
That seems like exaggerating to draw a parallel to 1984's dystopia from this. O_o I might get kinda angry if Google started preventing those searches. Although it's true that if they make it too strict, it'll damage Instant's functionality.
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2010-09-12, 9:40 PM #6
I really used to think voluntary self-censorship would only happen in every form of media ever.
If you think the waiters are rude, you should see the manager.
2010-09-12, 9:44 PM #7
Yeah somehow I doubt this has been forced upon Google by "them".
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2010-09-12, 9:51 PM #8
Maybe it's a preventative feature to keep unsavory things from popping up if you aren't deliberately trying to see those things.

Also, stop whining.
>>untie shoes
2010-09-12, 10:09 PM #9
:tinfoil:
[01:52] <~Nikumubeki> Because it's MBEGGAR BEGS LIKE A BEGONI.
2010-09-13, 5:06 AM #10
Quote:
Maybe it's a preventative feature to keep unsavory things from popping up if you aren't deliberately trying to see those things.


Antony has it. If I'm searching for assault rifles, I don't expect to see a bunch of asses in the middle of typing.
2010-09-13, 5:41 AM #11
It's easier for them to censor things than it is to deal with moron parents complaining that Google is the cause of their child's misconduct.
Quote Originally Posted by FastGamerr
"hurr hairy guy said my backhair looks dumb hurr hairy guy smash"
2010-09-13, 8:10 AM #12
People use the google home page?
"If you watch television news, you will know less about the world than if you just drink gin straight out of the bottle."
--Garrison Keillor
2010-09-13, 8:14 AM #13
Where are the interesting thoughts? I must have missed them.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2010-09-13, 8:21 AM #14
This thread is a let down. I was hoping for

[http://imgur.com/3ohCN.png]
2010-09-13, 9:12 AM #15
Originally posted by SoldierSnoop:
Censor some things and invariably you'll have to censor more and more. It's the nature of the beast.


Why exactly is this true?
2010-09-13, 9:51 AM #16
Because the crux of his point is a sweeping generalization, and without that he has no point once again.
>>untie shoes
2010-09-13, 10:05 AM #17
Because 1984 Orwell Big Brother inside job they know your every move if you give them an inch they'll take a mile and he who exchanges freedom for security deserves neither.
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2010-09-13, 11:10 AM #18
Originally posted by SoldierSnoop:
Censor some things and invariably you'll have to censor more and more. It's the nature of the beast.

Crazy, I really used to think this stuff only would happen in 1984-esque Sci-Fi novels.


What.

I'm pretty sure if you start displaying every porn or sex related search queries into the auto-updating function for normal searches, the user would get bombarded with all sorts of bizarre sexual acts and ideas. People have all sorts of fetishes and deviant tastes. If you are searching for, let's say, "blow dryers," you don't need to see "blow jobs" from who knows what.

I mean, if you are using Google for porn, why would it bother you? Secondly, if you really are using Google for porn, what the ****, are you from 2001?
SnailIracing:n(500tpostshpereline)pants
-----------------------------@%
2010-09-13, 11:17 AM #19
None of the actual results are censored, and that's what's important.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2010-09-13, 4:13 PM #20
Originally posted by Emon:
None of the actual results are censored, and that's what's important.


Actually, if they were, we'd never know. What google calls a filter in order to prevent spam could easily censor anything else it doesn't want us to find.

I'm not some tinfoil hat person... I just think google should allow it's auto-update feature be utilized fully when the safety settings are off.

Not really a big deal until you think of how easily the "powers that be" could abuse something like this...

I work for the US Army. I am the government (if you believe that the government is made up of volunteers). They pay me to live my life, and I lead a happy one at that. However, if you all think I'm out there to cause problems... trust me I'm not. Just realize that there are people with a lot of control over the 1st Amendment and I would feel threatened by the abuses of it if I were a normal citizen.
2010-09-13, 4:21 PM #21
:tinfoil:
[01:52] <~Nikumubeki> Because it's MBEGGAR BEGS LIKE A BEGONI.
2010-09-13, 4:34 PM #22
The First Amendment has nothing to do with Google.
2010-09-13, 4:42 PM #23
You are failing to draw the parallels between freedom of speech and censorship.

Forget it.
2010-09-13, 4:48 PM #24
He's saying that Google is a private entity and doesn't have to give a damn about the first amendment. The only thing not censoring auto complete would do is give you piece of mind. They could still be censoring things and you'd never know it.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2010-09-13, 5:04 PM #25
Originally posted by Emon:
He's saying that Google is a private entity and doesn't have to give a damn about the first amendment. The only thing not censoring auto complete would do is give you piece of mind. They could still be censoring things and you'd never know it.


http://www.google.com/governmentrequests/

meh. and this is what they are letting us see...
2010-09-13, 5:33 PM #26
So what's your point? Google has to respond to the pressures of external forces like governments to remain profitable. It's usually a choice between censoring what is requested, or have your entire service be banned.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2010-09-13, 6:20 PM #27
Wow... SoldierSnoop really is the leader of the tinfoil hat brigade.
>>untie shoes
2010-09-13, 7:04 PM #28
I image searched for butt plugs, based on snoop's advice.

It's all still there. x(
error; function{getsig} returns 'null'
2010-09-13, 7:35 PM #29
Yeah I google for some pretty unsavory ****, and it still turns up.
>>untie shoes
2010-09-13, 8:23 PM #30
Well, to be fair, there is reason to be concerned about collusion between the most popular search engine and various governments.
"I would rather claim to be an uneducated man than be mal-educated and claim to be otherwise." - Wookie 03:16

2010-09-13, 8:23 PM #31
Yeah... welcome to several years ago, only without the collusion.
>>untie shoes
2010-09-13, 8:26 PM #32
Um, except now there actually is.
I heard it on Glenn Beck.
"I would rather claim to be an uneducated man than be mal-educated and claim to be otherwise." - Wookie 03:16

2010-09-13, 10:39 PM #33
Originally posted by SoldierSnoop:
You are failing to draw the parallels between freedom of speech and censorship.


I too am failing to do this. Please explain the parallels in terms that some pleb who has studied the First Amendment in considerable depth can understand.
If you think the waiters are rude, you should see the manager.
2010-09-13, 11:04 PM #34
So like uh... what's the deal with cheese? like uh... where does it come from?
2010-09-14, 4:46 AM #35
Originally posted by SoldierSnoop:
http://www.google.com/governmentrequests/

meh. and this is what they are letting us see...


In most cases [Any time you see the reason listed as 'court order'] the content is removed because of criminal proceedings against the poster. For example, it could have been a slanderous video which they were sued for, or an ad removed for false advertisement.
2010-09-14, 5:23 AM #36
keep in mind, that includes youtube as well. Which leads me to believe the majority of those requests are probably for the removal of copyrighted material from the youtube servers.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2010-09-14, 3:39 PM #37
Originally posted by Sarn_Cadrill:
keep in mind, that includes youtube as well. Which leads me to believe the majority of those requests are probably for the removal of copyrighted material from the youtube servers.


I'm pretty sure that the government doesn't have to be media company's middle men... The media company's use the tactic of intent to filing lawsuits but rarely file them and almost always settle out of court.
2010-09-14, 3:45 PM #38
Originally posted by Sarn_Cadrill:
keep in mind, that includes youtube as well. Which leads me to believe the majority of those requests are probably for the removal of copyrighted material from the youtube servers.


No, in fact all such are specifically marked as NOT removal of copyrighted material, in the FAQ. Because those are almost invariably on behalf of private parties, not the government.

That said, there's only been like ~100 fulfilled removal requests in the USA. That's like a spec of dust in a desert.

Also, I have absolutely no way of fathoming how this is a serious censorship issue.
2010-09-14, 3:45 PM #39
I thought the thread title said "interesting" thoughts
TAKES HINTS JUST FINE, STILL DOESN'T CARE
2010-09-14, 3:48 PM #40
Are many of these child pornography-related? There are, after all, fairly legitimate reasons for the government to ask for things to be removed. Yet another one of those fine lines.

Edit: nevermind, did you know that sometimes you can read things and by doing so, learn information? It is true. In this case, no, child pornography is not included in the count.
Warhead[97]
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