Google declines to integrate fact-checking in search algorithms, rejects EU disinformation code: Report

Google has rejected the European Union's request to integrate fact-checking into its search algorithms, despite new regulations aimed at combating online misinformation.

By: MD IJAJ KHAN
| Updated on: Jan 17 2025, 16:43 IST
Google Year In Search 2024: Here’s what India Googled the most in 2024
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
1/8 Indian Premier League: The IPL is always popular, both in India and internationally. In 2024, it dominated Google's search charts, reaching the number one position overall as a trend in India. It was an exciting season, in which the Kolkata Knight Riders won the tournament, claiming their third title in history. Sunrisers Hyderabad finished as runners-up. (PTI)
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
2/8 T20 World Cup: The T20 Cricket World Cup is always a significant event, and this year, the Cricket World Cup was hosted in the US and West Indies. India ended up winning the cup, defeating South Africa in the final. (AFP)
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
3/8 Bhartiya Janta Party: The BJP has been a popular party in India. Not only is it the ruling party, holding the maximum seats in the Lok Sabha, but it also won the general elections in 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister for the third time. (ANI )
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
4/8 Election Results 2024: Elections were a major part of 2024, as India went through its general elections. The National Democratic Alliance ended up forming the government, with Prime Minister Modi continuing in office. It is also worth noting that there were several other significant elections, including the US Presidential and various state elections in India (AP)
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5/8 Olympics 2024: The Olympics are always exciting, and this year, in France it was no exception. (REUTERS)
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6/8 Extreme Heat: India also faced extreme heat during the summer of 2024, with temperatures surpassing 50°C in many parts of the country, particularly in North India.
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
7/8 Rata Tata: Ratan Tata, the Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and former chairman of the Tata Group, was widely mourned after he passed away in October 2024 at the age of 86. This was a major search query on Google in India. (AP)
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8/8 The Indian National Congress came in at number 8, followed by the Pro Kabaddi League at number 9, and the Indian Super League at number 10. (AICC)
Google fact-checking in search algorithms
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Google has rejected the EU's call to integrate fact-checking into search algorithms and YouTube content moderation. (REUTERS)

In a recent letter to the European Union, Google has made it clear that it will not incorporate fact-checking into its search algorithms or YouTube videos. The tech giant rejected proposals to use fact-checking as a factor in content ranking or removal, according to a report by Axios.

Google's Stance on Fact-Checking Integration

Despite pressure from the EU's new Disinformation Code of Practice, Google has maintained its stance on content moderation. The company had previously informed EU lawmakers of its position, and it has now reiterated this stance ahead of the voluntary code's implementation. The letter, addressed to Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director General of the European Commission's content and technology division, outlines Google's refusal to adopt fact-checking as part of its service.

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Kent Walker, Google's global affairs president, explained that the integration of fact-checking required by the Commission's new code is "simply not appropriate or effective" for Google's services. He emphasised that the company would not commit to the mandated changes. Google's position has remained consistent, even though the code would require the company to display fact-check results alongside search outcomes and YouTube videos, as well as to adjust its ranking algorithms based on these checks.

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Walker pointed to Google's existing content moderation practices as evidence of their effectiveness, especially during the recent global election cycles. He also highlighted a new feature on YouTube, introduced last year, that enables users to add contextual notes to videos. This feature, he argued, has significant potential, much like similar initiatives from other platforms like X and Meta.

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EU's Disinformation Code and Google's Decision

The EU's Code of Practice on Disinformation, first introduced in 2018 and expanded in 2022, encourages tech companies to voluntarily engage with fact-checking entities. The code, which precedes the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), urges companies to formalise these practices under the act. However, Google has confirmed its decision not to adhere to the fact-checking commitments as the DSA Code of Conduct takes shape.

Looking ahead, Google plans to continue refining its content moderation policies, focusing on providing users with more context in search results through tools like Synth ID watermarking and AI disclosures on YouTube.

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First Published Date: 17 Jan, 16:42 IST
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