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Google CEO Will Testify Before US House on Bias Accusations (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Committee in November, following the midterm elections. He met with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other senior Republicans Friday to discuss accusations that Google is biased against conservatives (a charge the company has denied). From a report: "I think we've really shown that there is bias, which is human nature, but you have to have transparency and fairness," McCarthy said. "As big tech's business grows, we have not had enough transparency and that has led to an erosion of trust and, perhaps worse, harm to consumers." Alphabet's Google unit has repeatedly denied accusations of bias against conservatives. Pichai left the meeting without comment. Pichai wrote in an internal email last week that suggestions that Google would interfere in search results for political reasons were "absolutely false. We do not bias our products to favor any political agenda." [...] Asked if Republicans will push to break up Google, McCarthy said: "I don"t see that." He said the hearing will look at privacy, bias issues, China and other matters.

8 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Why does google have to be bias free? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Maybe start with traditional media companies? Fox, CNN, etc?

    1. Re:Why does google have to be bias free? by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think it comes down more to the issue of Google and a tiny minority of other Silicon Valley companies being effective monopolies, who actively seek to suppress competition to the point where it becomes almost impossible for a startup to effectively compete on an even playing field. Add to this that this handful of companies are exclusively headquartered in areas known for radically liberal politics and seem to be staffed overwhelmingly with liberal employees (with strong rumors of company cultures where conservative voices are actively drumheaded out).

      This has the very scary possibility turning a traditionally open internet into an internet that is now effectively controlled by a small group of monopolies who seem to be increasingly seeking to suppress conservative viewpoints. It's a nasty convergence of monopoly and ideology that could well turn the internet into a giant echo-chamber where even mainstream right-of-center voices are all but completely silenced. And that doesn't sit well not only with conservatives, but a lot of classic liberals as well.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    2. Re:Why does google have to be bias free? by coastwalker · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Looking at the US from the rest of the world it is clear that whatever the theoretical difference between the two parties that get into government they are both run by wealthy patronage. The hatred in the media between the two groups is highly amusing given that it is there to keep public attention away from the fact that the rich run America and the politicians are irrelevant. Fox news is full of blatant lies, that is statements that are factually untrue, CNN is full of complaints about violent acts by the powerful that the powerful don't like hearing. America is a global joke.

      --
      Facts are history now plebs have politics for religion on social media.
    3. Re:Why does google have to be bias free? by serviscope_minor · · Score: 1, Insightful

      This has the very scary possibility turning a traditionally open internet into an internet that is now effectively controlled by a small group of monopolies who seem to be increasingly seeking to suppress conservative viewpoints.

      So it seems like the attitude that unfettered business is good and reglation is bad is only up to the point where it affects conservatives.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
  2. Meanwhile... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Communists are openly discussing terrorist acts on Twitter and not one shit is given,

    1. Re:Meanwhile... by swillden · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I support deplatforming all extremists. Nazis and commies alike.

      Deplatforming is a euphimism for silencing. I support freedom of speech.

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
  3. Re:And so what if they do? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    it's their company and they're not hiding behind common carrier.

    I'm sure if they were showing bias against gays or women, you'd be fine with it too, right?

  4. With all the bad aspects of Google, it's this? by edi_guy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So no one in DC cares about citizens privacy, nor about the buying and selling of data, nor about backdoor deals with the NSA, nor about supporting the Chinese communist government....no, this congress wants to focus on that whiny, snowflake, and frankly clueless dufus, Damore. Or is it the sad puppy faces and speeches of Sergei at Google HQ after Hillary lost?

    Really, Kevin McCarthy (R) , this is important? Of course it's not, more pointless politicking. And Pichai decides to show up to this one and skip the other hearings because he also knows it's a show. No threat of any action (see 1st Amendment). As many have said, there are plenty of other company boardrooms where there were celebrations after Trump won...who's digging into the Disney Corp records, or AT&T or Verizon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, the list is endless. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Oh, and how about all you fiscal conservatives fix the debt/deficit problem first then deal with your pet projects once that's all wrapped up.

    Vote the John Kasich & Jeff Flake ticket in 2020