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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/11/uk-antisemitic-google-searches-tech-companies
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| Tech firms have a duty to face down antisemitism | Tech firms have a duty to face down antisemitism |
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| Beyond a quick read of a Wikipedia page, what can the internet really tell us about antisemitism in the United Kingdom? The answer is, a great deal. It has been shown that people are remarkably honest when they search for information online. Their Google searches and queries reveal interests, prejudices and hatreds that they might otherwise keep hidden from friends, family members, neighbours, surveys and even themselves. These searches have been shown to share their health secrets, sexual preferences, and hostility towards other groups. | Beyond a quick read of a Wikipedia page, what can the internet really tell us about antisemitism in the United Kingdom? The answer is, a great deal. It has been shown that people are remarkably honest when they search for information online. Their Google searches and queries reveal interests, prejudices and hatreds that they might otherwise keep hidden from friends, family members, neighbours, surveys and even themselves. These searches have been shown to share their health secrets, sexual preferences, and hostility towards other groups. |
| Britons make 170,000 antisemitic Google searches a year, study finds | Britons make 170,000 antisemitic Google searches a year, study finds |
| As part of my work with the Antisemitism Policy Trust and the Community Security Trust, I put this to the test to see what Google searches made by people in the UK could tell us about attitudes towards Jewish people. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, we found that, every year, people in the UK express antisemitic thoughts through their internet searches. | As part of my work with the Antisemitism Policy Trust and the Community Security Trust, I put this to the test to see what Google searches made by people in the UK could tell us about attitudes towards Jewish people. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, we found that, every year, people in the UK express antisemitic thoughts through their internet searches. |
| People do some Google searches that are disturbing, such as “I hate Jews” and “why are Jews evil?”, along with other searches expressing violent intentions towards Jews. The most common negative stereotypes that appeared were that Jews were “evil” and “racist”, and the total number of antisemitic Google searches and queries made from the UK is about 170,000 per year. | People do some Google searches that are disturbing, such as “I hate Jews” and “why are Jews evil?”, along with other searches expressing violent intentions towards Jews. The most common negative stereotypes that appeared were that Jews were “evil” and “racist”, and the total number of antisemitic Google searches and queries made from the UK is about 170,000 per year. |
| One of the most common manifestations of antisemitism online is through conspiracy theories. The mythological wealth and power of the Rothschild banking family remains one of the top conspiracy theories in the UK. It is a tale that has long been used by antisemites to stir up images of Jewish bankers using their wealth to influence and subvert governments. | One of the most common manifestations of antisemitism online is through conspiracy theories. The mythological wealth and power of the Rothschild banking family remains one of the top conspiracy theories in the UK. It is a tale that has long been used by antisemites to stir up images of Jewish bankers using their wealth to influence and subvert governments. |
| Searches related to Zionism are 29% higher in the UK than in the US | Searches related to Zionism are 29% higher in the UK than in the US |
| From the antisemitic propaganda of Nazi Germany to today’s Facebook memes and YouTube videos, this conspiracy theory persists. In the UK, since 2004, there have been consistently more Google searches for the Rothschild banking family than for Jewish celebrities such as David Baddiel or Tracy Ann Oberman, and the number of searches for this conspiracy theory has increased by 39% in the past three years. | From the antisemitic propaganda of Nazi Germany to today’s Facebook memes and YouTube videos, this conspiracy theory persists. In the UK, since 2004, there have been consistently more Google searches for the Rothschild banking family than for Jewish celebrities such as David Baddiel or Tracy Ann Oberman, and the number of searches for this conspiracy theory has increased by 39% in the past three years. |
| Perhaps surprisingly, considering there are fewer than 300,000 Jews in Britain, Zionism is a popular search term in this country. In fact, the UK ranks third in the world for searches for Zionism – behind only Israel and Lebanon. | Perhaps surprisingly, considering there are fewer than 300,000 Jews in Britain, Zionism is a popular search term in this country. In fact, the UK ranks third in the world for searches for Zionism – behind only Israel and Lebanon. |
| Remarkably, searches related to Zionism are 29% higher in the UK than in the US. Most of these searches express curiosity about Zionism – the top searches include “Zionism definition” and “what is Zionism?” But the fourth most popular search relates to a conspiracy theory: “Hitler Zionism”. | Remarkably, searches related to Zionism are 29% higher in the UK than in the US. Most of these searches express curiosity about Zionism – the top searches include “Zionism definition” and “what is Zionism?” But the fourth most popular search relates to a conspiracy theory: “Hitler Zionism”. |
| These searches shot up in April 2016 after the former mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, was suspended by the Labour party for saying that Hitler supported Zionism. Searches relating to Zionism rose 25-fold in April 2016, shortly after Livingstone’s remarks; 14% of all searches related to Zionism during that month were looking for information on Hitler’s views about Zionism. | These searches shot up in April 2016 after the former mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, was suspended by the Labour party for saying that Hitler supported Zionism. Searches relating to Zionism rose 25-fold in April 2016, shortly after Livingstone’s remarks; 14% of all searches related to Zionism during that month were looking for information on Hitler’s views about Zionism. |
| That this particularly niche issue has become such a matter of public interest may be something that should concern public figures seeking to ensure well-informed debate about the topic. There is most certainly a role for technology companies in this regard. | That this particularly niche issue has become such a matter of public interest may be something that should concern public figures seeking to ensure well-informed debate about the topic. There is most certainly a role for technology companies in this regard. |
| Our data suggests that Google’s autocomplete function can influence these searches. For example, in December 2016 the Observer reported that one of the top autocompletes to the question “are Jews …” was “are Jews evil?” Following the report, Google removed this offensive suggestion from its autocomplete function. | Our data suggests that Google’s autocomplete function can influence these searches. For example, in December 2016 the Observer reported that one of the top autocompletes to the question “are Jews …” was “are Jews evil?” Following the report, Google removed this offensive suggestion from its autocomplete function. |
| So, by removing this suggested search, did fewer people make this search on Google? Indeed they did. In the 12 months following this policy change, approximately 10% fewer questions about Jews asked whether they were evil, compared with the 12 months before the policy. | So, by removing this suggested search, did fewer people make this search on Google? Indeed they did. In the 12 months following this policy change, approximately 10% fewer questions about Jews asked whether they were evil, compared with the 12 months before the policy. |
| In other words, by including the offensive autocomplete “Are Jews evil?”, Google led approximately 10% more people who began their search with “are Jews …” to click on the search “are Jews evil?”, than would have been the case if that particular search had not been suggested. | In other words, by including the offensive autocomplete “Are Jews evil?”, Google led approximately 10% more people who began their search with “are Jews …” to click on the search “are Jews evil?”, than would have been the case if that particular search had not been suggested. |
| This shows that Google, by prompting searches to users with its autocomplete function, can have a direct influence on the number of antisemitic searches on its platform. What else might Google therefore be prompting users to search? We know that Google-owned YouTube can direct people from conspiracy theories to hardcore Nazi content. | This shows that Google, by prompting searches to users with its autocomplete function, can have a direct influence on the number of antisemitic searches on its platform. What else might Google therefore be prompting users to search? We know that Google-owned YouTube can direct people from conspiracy theories to hardcore Nazi content. |
| Individuals are being radicalised online – in some cases, perhaps unintentionally, assisted by algorithms. This is just one example of why technology companies need to get their heads around this problem, and quickly, as the future health of our societies depends on it. | Individuals are being radicalised online – in some cases, perhaps unintentionally, assisted by algorithms. This is just one example of why technology companies need to get their heads around this problem, and quickly, as the future health of our societies depends on it. |
| • Seth Stephens-Davidowitz is a data scientist and writer | • Seth Stephens-Davidowitz is a data scientist and writer |
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