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Google and Microsoft To Block Child-Abuse Search Terms
mrspoonsi writes "Leading search engine companies Google and Microsoft have agreed measures to make it harder to find child abuse images online. As many as 100,000 search terms will now return no results that find illegal material, and will trigger warnings that child abuse imagery is illegal. The Google chairman said he hired a 200-strong team to work out a solution over the last three months. Google's previous set of measures, which displayed a warning to people attempting to search for illegal material and caused a 20 percent drop in illicit activity."
That's not the impression the BBC article gives me. Indeed, it says:
Typing "child pornography" in to Google's search engine now brings up a set of search results that include warnings that child abuse imagery is illegal.
The first three links are all related to reporting disturbing images or seeking help if you think you or someone you know has a problem with child porn.
The first link is an advert that links to a Google statement about protecting children from sexual abuse. The next link directs you to the Internet Watch Foundation, where you can report criminal online content, and a link to Stop it Now advises users how they can get help and advice.
The remaining search results are mainly news stories from around the world reporting on child pornography.
So Google are now engaging in government-directed manipulation of search results covering the discussion of child sex abuse images.