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Google ordered to change autocomplete function in Japan | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Google has been ordered to disable part of its autocomplete function in Japan after complaints it violates privacy. | Google has been ordered to disable part of its autocomplete function in Japan after complaints it violates privacy. |
An unidentified man took the search giant to court over concerns that typing in his name linked him with crimes he was not involved with. | An unidentified man took the search giant to court over concerns that typing in his name linked him with crimes he was not involved with. |
Lawyer Hiroyuki Tomita said the effect on the man's reputation has meant he has found it hard to find work. | Lawyer Hiroyuki Tomita said the effect on the man's reputation has meant he has found it hard to find work. |
Google has so far not carried out the court's request - but said it was "reviewing the order". | Google has so far not carried out the court's request - but said it was "reviewing the order". |
"A Japanese court issued a provisional order requesting Google to delete specific terms from autocomplete," the company said in a statement on Monday. | "A Japanese court issued a provisional order requesting Google to delete specific terms from autocomplete," the company said in a statement on Monday. |
"The judge did not require Google to completely suspend the autocomplete function." | "The judge did not require Google to completely suspend the autocomplete function." |
Autocomplete is a function on many of Google's search service which uses a mixture of algorithms and stored user data to predict what a person is searching for. | Autocomplete is a function on many of Google's search service which uses a mixture of algorithms and stored user data to predict what a person is searching for. |
For example, a search for BBC will automatically suggest "news", "iPlayer" and "weather". | For example, a search for BBC will automatically suggest "news", "iPlayer" and "weather". |
'Irretrievable damage' | 'Irretrievable damage' |
Mr Tomita said a search for his client's name would wrongly associate him with crimes committed by a man with the same name. | Mr Tomita said a search for his client's name would wrongly associate him with crimes committed by a man with the same name. |
He argued that the autocomplete feature as a whole was problematic as it directed users to potentially false or misleading information. | He argued that the autocomplete feature as a whole was problematic as it directed users to potentially false or misleading information. |
"It could lead to irretrievable damage such as a loss of job or bankruptcy just by showing search results that constitute defamation or a violation of the privacy of an individual person or small and medium-sized companies," Mr Tomita told Japanese news agency Kyodo. | "It could lead to irretrievable damage such as a loss of job or bankruptcy just by showing search results that constitute defamation or a violation of the privacy of an individual person or small and medium-sized companies," Mr Tomita told Japanese news agency Kyodo. |
Google defended the system, arguing that as results were generated mechanically - rather than by an individual - it was not an invasion of privacy. | Google defended the system, arguing that as results were generated mechanically - rather than by an individual - it was not an invasion of privacy. |
"These searches are produced by a number of factors including the popularity of search terms," the company said. | "These searches are produced by a number of factors including the popularity of search terms," the company said. |
"Google does not determine these terms manually - all of the queries shown in autocomplete have been typed previously by other Google users." | "Google does not determine these terms manually - all of the queries shown in autocomplete have been typed previously by other Google users." |
It is not the first time the feature has come under scrutiny. In December 2010, Google tweaked autocomplete so that terms relating to piracy did not automatically appear. | It is not the first time the feature has come under scrutiny. In December 2010, Google tweaked autocomplete so that terms relating to piracy did not automatically appear. |
However, the company attracted further criticism after it refused to remove sites hosting illegal copyright material from its search results. | However, the company attracted further criticism after it refused to remove sites hosting illegal copyright material from its search results. |
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