Google gladly caves in 3… 2… 1…
Self-proclaimed hate crime recording group Tell MAMA has demanded that Google review its algorithms to ensure that searches on topics such as grooming gangs and terrorism do not yield “anti-Muslim” results.
Tell MAMA alleged that “far right” groups have manipulated the search giant’s results to stoke tensions against Muslim communities living in Britain, in the “anti-Islamophobia” organisation’s annual report.
“We urge Google to review how far-right websites are cheating its search algorithm through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) in order to improve their rankings on stories related to crime, sexual exploitation, and terrorism,” it stated.
“A higher ranking not only increases their legitimacy but may draw vulnerable individuals into extreme echo chambers.” […]
In the event of a “terrorist attack associated with extremists from a Muslim background”, the report recommends that authorities crack down on “hate”.
“Police forces should consider how some will use such events as pretexts for ideologically-driven violence and hate speech online which targets Muslims or their institutions,” it states.
The organisation said its work in partnership with social media companies would help them “better understand anti-Muslim prejudice and to promote online counter-narratives that invest beyond advertising credits”.