Google in Trouble for Suggesting Illegal Software

JehCt writes "Google is being sued over the 'suggest' feature built into its latest toolbar. InfoWorld reports: 'ServersCheck, a small company that makes network monitoring software,' is complaining that, 'If ServersCheck is entered, Google generates suggested search terms such as serverscheck crack, serverscheck pro crack and serverscheck keygen which lead to pirated software.' In an apparent public relations blunder, Google claimed to have no way of filtering suggestions. However, Google can and does filter because the toolbar won't provide suggestions for keywords like 'porn'."

Comments

Play with this feature w/o the toolbar

[LunaticTippy]

I don't like installing toolbars, but you can dink around with the suggest feature here

Re:No leg to stand on?

[aaronl]

I can think of reasons: if you make software that attempts to prevent cracking or simple key generation, you probably will use the words "crack" and "keygen" in your literature, if you attempt to break software to verify level of protection, etc. If Google were to put such a filter in place, they now have to examine each search result, and attempt to determine if the instance is talking about breaking software, protecting software, or illegally using software.

They very likely *can't* do that with the product they have today. It is a technically possible solution that Google could impliment, but not one that they are capable of today.

In regards to the pornography, Google probably determined that porn showed up far too often when searching for something unrelated. They likely hardcoded the application to avoid displaying those hits.

Re:No leg to stand on?

[LunaticTippy]

This borders on editorializing. I tried out the suggest feature, and typed in Office 2003. As I was typing it listed 10 or so "more complete" search terms. By the time I got to "Offi" it had numerous suggestions for cracks, warez, and keygens. These aren't sites, these are search terms.

I guess this means a lot of people search for these things. But it's probably fair to complain about Google actually suggesting these search terms.

I personally disagree with this complaint, but I understand it.