The Creepy Line in Tech and Google's Practices

A giant computer network connecting many computers and other devices globally.

A period characterized by an abundance of readily accessible information, enabled by technologies like the personal computer and the Internet.

A search engine company founded, based on a promise, to make information accessible to everyone.

A tool used to find information on the Internet by inputting keywords or phrases.

The conceptual boundary where a technology becomes so advanced or unusual that people feel unease or concern about its implications.

A region in California, US, known as a hub for technology companies and innovation.

A computer intended for individual use, as opposed to a mainframe computer that many users share.

The ability of a computer or a robot to think like a human being or to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence.

Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard to connect people and potentially meet new people, emphasizing the initial idealistic goal.

Google aimed to be a helpful tool for finding information, initially as a search engine, index of the internet, with a goal of moving users off of Google and onto the open web.

Google's algorithm for determining the relevance of web pages by analyzing links between them, making it a superior search engine than other indexed search engines

Google's revenue model heavily relies on analyzing user search history to provide tailored ads, and selling this analyzed data to advertisers

Google's early motto, "Don't be evil," was a broadly worded, but undefined principle meant to guide company practices.

Google collects user data like search history and visited websites, compiling detailed profiles of users, which is used to serve targeted ads and for other uses.

The introduction of smartphones around 2007 steered Google away from its primary goal of providing information and altered its focus towards a data-driven approach.

Google collects data through its free services (like search, maps, docs) to understand user behavior, using this information to generate revenue and potentially manipulate users.

Companies like Google and Facebook profit not by selling tangible goods, but by selling user data and behavior to advertisers.

Algorithms analyze user data to influence user choices and behaviors.

Google's search engine acts like a compression algorithm. It simplifies vast amounts of information into a simplified result for the user.

Algorithms make decisions based on inputs (e.g., search queries) and collected user data, influencing information displayed.

Algorithms used by search engines filter and select results, potentially leading to bias in displayed information.

A metaphor for the influence algorithms and data collection have in shaping user thoughts and actions.

Google's operating system for mobile devices that collects user data even when offline, uploading usage history to Google.

Google's browser used to collect user data about visited websites and online activity.

Algorithms influence what information users see and how users might interact with the world.

Fake news is used to discredit legitimate news, dismiss facts, and hinder the truth instead of being about misinformation.

Fake news stories are easily identifiable due to their authors and can be disregarded by the recipient.

Individuals tend to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs, making them less susceptible to fake news that challenges them.

The real issue is not fake news; it's the hidden manipulation of information resources by tech giants, like Google and Facebook.

Tech giants actively suppress certain news stories based on their editorial preferences.

Algorithms used by tech companies like Facebook steer users to particular news sources, impacting news feeds based on their user preferences.

Facebook performed experiments on users, affecting user reactions to specific content/posts to understand user engagement better.

Exposure to negative content, particularly on social media platforms, can affect mood and mental state as research shows.

Search results are influenced by factors rather than presenting a neutral view, leading to a skewed presentation of information based on the algorithm's parameters.

Algorithms select and prioritize information offered by online sites, intentionally or unintentionally, showcasing some content over others.

Large companies, like Google and Facebook, wield significant influence due to their access to vast computing resources, data, and algorithms, which shape online experiences.

The tension between freedom of expression and algorithms' ability to filter it, raising questions about what constitutes permissible information in online spaces.

Algorithms personalize search results and online experiences to showcase information aligned with a user's past searches, creating an echo chamber that influences or limits exposure to different perspectives.

The way data collection allows platforms to tailor content and experiences to promote a habit or compulsion, leading users to spend more time on or interacting with these platforms.

Google and Facebook act as gatekeepers to online information, controlling what is accessible, which can lead to restricted access to information and potentially alter perceptions.

The shift from traditional news platforms to reliance on social media as a primary source of news, changing how people encounter and gather information.

Online platforms such as Google and Facebook face less government oversight than traditional media companies, which can lead to potential problems in areas like media bias or freedom of speech.

The spread of false or misleading information, often presented in a convincing way, creating difficulties for understanding and navigating online platforms.

A list effect where the higher-ranked items in search results are perceived as more trustworthy and influential, leading to biased user choices.

The impact a list has on cognitive processing, often making items higher in the list more memorable.

A learning process influenced by positive feedback or reinforcement, where repeated actions associated with rewards become more frequent.

The tendency of search algorithms to influence search result rankings, potentially steering users toward desired outcomes.

The tendency for negative information to have a proportionally larger impact on choices than neutral or positive information.

A search engine feature that suggests possible search terms related to the user's input.

A prominent display in search results often featuring a concise answer to the user's query.

Google's substantial market share in search engines allows significant control over information presented to users.

The act of controlling or altering search results to influence user opinions or behaviors.

The overwhelming amount of information available online, making it challenging to filter relevant results.

Google collects emails, drafts, and other data from Gmail, to create user profiles and target ads.

Google's influence on individuals and institutions is substantial; a significant factor. It's a central component for many government functions and has widespread use in schools and other institutions.

Google was found to scan student emails for non-educational purposes, raising privacy concerns, and still hasn't fully addressed or acknowledged this.

Government agencies use Google tools like Docs and Cloud for various functions.

Google's potential tracking of iPhone users' online activity is raising concerns.

Google Street View cars collect data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Smart devices like the Google Home Mini constantly listen and collect data, presenting privacy concerns.

Smart devices are potentially biased and could provide inaccurate or unfair information, particularly concerning children.

Schools collect student data, including browsing history and location, raising privacy concerns.

Google funds academic research, often supporting research aligning with Google's policies, potentially influencing results.

A large list of websites Google blocks access to, a form of information control.

Instances where Google disrupted internet access, demonstrating significant control over online infrastructure.

Google's significant platform enables it to act as a powerful force in controlling online information.

Google blocked Dr. Peterson's YouTube channel and Gmail account, an example of content suppression.

Google blocked accounts without clear reasons, a potential issue of political targeting.

Google collects user data (search history, etc.) from various services, potentially to influence outcomes based on analyses of this data.

Google notified users of website hacking issues to potentially gauge response or to monitor user activity.

Google's algorithm impacts small businesses, favoring some and hindering others based on rankings.

Concerns arose about Google's potential monopoly and its impact on competition.

Search results manipulated by algorithms, potentially favouring specific information or viewpoints.

Selective online messages sent to specific groups, possibly to influence behaviour or political leanings.

Large tech companies like Google and Facebook hold substantial influence over online information.

Large tech companies and the government work together, influencing politics and policies.

Algorithms may influence search results to favour specific political viewpoints.

Being mindful of the information we consume online and the impact on our well-being.

Openness about how algorithms and data collection influence information presented.

Algorithms influence user choices and behavior.

Companies gathering user data.

Companies offer free services but rely on advertising.

Search results ordered to favor one candidate over another, potentially affecting voters' choices.

An experiment where participants are randomly assigned to different groups to test the effect of varied treatments.

Altering the order of search results to influence users' choices.

Bias in search results that is not explicitly designed but is caused by algorithms, or by how content is ranked.

Bias in search results disguised by slightly modifying the content.

A change in opinion or voting preference caused by the presented content.

The extent to which voters recognize bias in search results.

Repeating experiments with a larger number of participants from across different regions or countries.

The varying impact of the manipulation across different demographic groups, some demonstrating larger shifts than others.

The ability of certain individuals to notice bias in search results, which leads to reactions that can be even stronger than those with no awareness.

Bias in search results occurring across different positions on the first page of search results.

Results favoring one candidate over another, whether deliberately or subtly.

Google's vast reach and control over online information can impact elections and individual access to information.

Google can prevent certain people's content or views from being accessed by the public.

Google's algorithms can influence what information users see and how they form opinions.

Dr. Epstein's study explored how biased information delivery via search engines can influence opinions.

Google's terms grant them the right to limit or block access to their services without prior notice or justification.

Small content creators can lose visibility and monetization opportunities by violating Google's content guidelines.

Google's lack of a readily available customer service department made it challenging for users to understand or address their issues or content removal.

Tech giants like Google can manipulate information and opinions via algorithms and filtering leading to hidden manipulation.

Users or content creators lacking connections in the media can be silently removed from the platform. This can impact wider reach for content creators.

Google and Facebook have the capability to sway elections.

The internet's operation relies on gathering user data for various services and business models.

The potential for abuse of user data and lack of transparency in internet services.

Governments struggle to keep pace with the rapid development of technology and its applications.

Domination of the internet by a few powerful companies, reducing competition and choice.

The questionable ethical implications of large tech corporations' control over information and manipulation of users.

Tech companies' influence over information poses a threat to democratic processes, fairness, and transparency.

The internet belongs to all users, not just corporations operating on it.

Tech giants can act in self-serving ways, potentially harming consumers through biased or manipulative practices.

Private companies operating in the information sector lack the same democratic accountability as government entities.

Tech firms' power to influence user behavior through targeted information and personalized experiences.

The potential for large tech companies to exercise immense control over individuals, akin to historical totalitarian regimes.

Users are often unaware of the extent of data collection and manipulation or are given little control over it.

The significant power differential between large tech companies and individuals, potentially leading to abuse of influence.

The lack of effective mechanisms to hold tech companies accountable for their actions and impact on users.

Facebook potentially used user data to manipulate users' moods and interactions, by showing them negative content.

A law shielding online platforms from liability for user-generated content, which lets them be neutral public forums, to some extent.

A platform that allows diverse views without taking a stance on any of them.

The act of selecting, filtering, and shaping content presented on a platform.

The point where a technology or action becomes ethically problematic or concerning.

Google gathers user data (like searches and online activity) to provide personalized ads and services.

Using algorithms to influence user choices and behaviors.

Having an excessive amount of information available online, making it hard to select relevant details.

Search engines potentially showing results that favor certain views or outcomes.

Algorithms used to change or influence how users think or behave.

Changing the order of search results to influence user choices.

Being mindful about the information you consume online and its impact on your well-being.

Openness about how algorithms and data collection influence online content.