Google is stepping into the fight against would-be terrorists by altering the search results shown when a user searches for extremist content.
The change would mean that anyone using the world’s largest search engine to find ISIS-related content would instead be shown anti-radicalisation links.
Google described the plan as a “pilot programme” when a representative from the company appeared in front of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday .
“We are working on counter-narratives around the world. This year one of the things we’re looking at is we are running two pilot programmes,” Google executive Dr. Anthony House told
“One is to make sure these types of views are more discoverable. The other is to make sure when people put potentially damaging search terms into our search engine they also find these counter narratives.”
Like Facebook and Twitter, Google has come under scrutiny as a technological way for ISIS supporters to communicate and spread their sick ideas .
It is estimated that over 50,000 Twitter profiles are used by people supporting the so-called Islamic State, also known as Daesh.
The “micro-blogging” social network says it has removed tens of thousands of these accounts in the last year.
MPs questioned the technology giants over the point at which they notify law enforcement of potential terrorist material being spread on their platforms. Google and Facebook responded that their threshold was “threat to life”.
Google explained that along with the counter-narratives it is committed to fighting the activities of ISIS online.
“It’s of fundamental importance. We don’t want our platform to be an unsafe place,” said Dr. House. – Daily Mirror.
