Google censoring results, erases 'No Filter' option

35 points by adario 13 years ago | 6 comments

Google now censors what they deem explicit search content. Users are already complaining:

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/websearch/L8651GKSwwY

Search for a NSFW word on Google & you get filtered results. Go to settings and there's no longer a "no filtering" option. After testing Google's new censored results a bit more, it seems you can get explicit results by entering two word or more phrases. Odd.

A Google worker has chimed in on forums indicating that nothing much has changed for those who don't want to use the Safe Search option. But users disagree:

http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/websearch/jvjTVorCn2w/rfluxPMSZ1QJ

alphast0rm 13 years ago |

Google is not really censoring results, they are "now filtering – or selectively showing – hardcore porn with a bit heavier hand". Here's the full story on TechCrunch:

http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/12/fear-not-those-without-acce...

ibejoeb 13 years ago |

The stuff I'm reading makes it seem like it's just sexual content. Is that confirmed, or is it inclusive of other explicit material, e.g., gore, propaganda?

thepumpkin1979 13 years ago |

mmm, I still see the SafeSearch option, I can disable and get more "explicit" results though.

cbs 13 years ago | |

I don't know if its still common practice there, but Google used to trial new code by rolling it out to geographically limited audiences.

Teapot 13 years ago |

Seems Google finally killed the safe=off parameter. I'm confused now. And sad, because I miss all those boobs.

cultureulterior 13 years ago |

First they came for the torrents, then they came for the boobs...