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Google Gets Flak For Too Stringent Parent Filter
from the all-sides dept
Google had been getting a little bit of bad press here and there, but it seems like the whole Gmail thing opened the floodgates. Now, Declan McCullough is complaining that Google's SafeSearch feature is too stringent. SafeSearch is supposed to try to weed out adult content from the search engine, and it appears that Google's implementation is fairly simplistic - blocking out any domain that includes the word "sex," even when its part of something like PartsExchange or ArkansasExtermination.com. Basically, the story is that the SafeSearch technology is fairly weak, which is true of plenty of filters. Obviously, it's something that should be improved, but since no one is being forced to use it, it's unclear why this is so alarming. Besides, when asked, Google says they review sites that people bring to their attention as being inappropriately blocked. All this really is, is yet another example of why filters don't work very well - but if people want to use badly working filters, that's their choice.
Reader Comments
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No Subject Given
Jesus man. These guys just can't win.
Leave google alone!
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Re: No Subject Given
Google is so horribly awful. Why should I have to do anything to raise my own children? Google should totally be responsible for everything they see on the internet. I think I'm going to sue them now.
msykes
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No Subject Given
Just like Microsoft ...
it has become fashionable to attempt to cut down corporation that succeeds ...
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No Subject Given
Yeah, but google hasn't engaged in any shady business practices. Even Netscape was known to quash a company, an idea, an inventor or two. Not google though. Yet still... the same net result. Amazing.
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default to safe search
The problem is that Google defaults to safe-search mode, which requires anyone to go into options before making an unrestricted search.
Not that bad, but an inconvenience I could do without.
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Re: default to safe search
The article was about safe search for web search, which is off by default. It's true that the safe search for images is on by default, but that's a completely different thing (image search instead o' web search).
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WOW
COOL, YOU CAN'T GET PAST US KIDS...LOL...
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