Google’s helpful Autocomplete function has landed the Internet giant in German court. Former German first lady Bettina Wulff filed a lawsuit against Google after finding that searches for her name automatically adjust to include rumors of a sordid past. When a user types “Bettina Wulff” into the search bar, Google automatically suggests “Bettina Wulff prostitute” and “Bettina Wulff escort,” the New York Times reports. But Google says it’s not to blame, as all queries in Autocomplete have been previously typed by other Google users.
Ethics + Responsibility
Google’s Autocomplete Function Spreads Rumors, Says Lawsuit
Google’s helpful Autocomplete function has landed the Internet giant in German court. Former German first lady Bettina Wulff filed a lawsuit against Google after finding that searches for her name automatically adjust to include rumors of a sordid past. When a user types “Bettina Wulff” into the search bar, Google automatically suggests “Bettina Wulff prostitute” and “Bettina Wulff escort,” the New York Times reports. But Google says it’s not to blame, as all queries in Autocomplete have been previously typed by other Google users.
