Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has previously been put on the spot over hoaxes and so-called “fake news”. However, it now seems like it is Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s turn to be on the receiving end for disseminating false information. Over the weekend a search function called “Featured Snippets” brought up news that became a buzz on the social media.
A simple question on Google’s Snippets that read, “Is Obama planning a coup?” was answered with a funky answer that seemed to throw everyone off. Google’s search replied, “According to details exposed in Western Centre for Journalism’s exclusive video, not only could Obama be in bed with the communist Chinese, but Obama may, in fact, be planning a communist coup d’état at the end of his term in 2016.”
But spreading false information is not Google’s intention
Google selects its stories from billions of pages. However, there are times that the answers it gets to solicited question are either exaggerated or are just wrong. The search giant’s ‘one-box answer to a question’ option of searching has on several occasions presented inaccurate stories.
Google’s mistakes are debatably more perilous than the “fake news” on Facebook. However, the tech giant says that it has no intention of building a reputation for false information. The company says that it is always on standby to remove any Featured Snippet that contravenes its policies.
Google may have apologized for the latest Obama post but what next?
In trying to save its face over the weekend ‘Featured Snippet’ Google apologized citing that it is always on hand to provide comprehensive summary or answers to specific questions.
However, not many seem content with this explanation. Since the alert was aired a lot of people have been trying to search for other examples. So it is likely that Google has a lot to explain. There is a feeling that the problem of fake news may not go away anytime soon especially with the entry of smart assistants.
The futuristic gadgets are quickly becoming a platform for people to gather information, which may often turn out a hoax. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s stock closed at $847.27 a decline of $1.81 or 0.21%.
