Legislation Would Force Google and Rivals to Disclose Search Algorithms

[question everything]

Senate lawmakers proposed bipartisan legislation that would require search engines to disclose the algorithms they use in ranking internet searches and give consumers an option for unfiltered searches.

Search engines such as Alphabet Inc. ’s Google unit use a variety of measures to filter results for individual searches, such as the user’s browsing activity, search history and geographical location.

Critics have increasingly complained about algorithms enabling online-search and social-media companies to determine the content users see, with some on the right claiming the result is a form of censorship because certain views may be excluded. The big internet firms generally have denied such claims and contend that using profile information gives users better-tailored results.

The proposed Filter Bubble Transparency Act would require big online search engines and platforms to disclose that they are using algorithms to sort the information that users are requesting or are being encouraged to view.

The bill would also require the online search engines or platforms to offer a relatively unfiltered version of the same information if users ask for it.

More..

https://www.wsj.com/articles/legislation-would-require-search-engines-to-disclose-algorithms-11572540266 (paid subscription)

======

I don't know about algorithms; but If I am searching for a company or an organization, I want this entity to be on top, regardless of how many have searched for it.

[zaj]

1. What the heck is an unfiltered search?

[question everything]

2. I think a search that does not take into account one's history

From the same story

The plain-vanilla alternative wouldn’t consider user-specific profile data—such as the user’s geographic location and search and browsing history—in formulating search results unless the user expressly provides such data to the platform for purposes of the search, according to a draft of the bill. It also couldn’t make “inferences about the user or the user’s connected device.”

[SWBTATTReg]

3. No math formulas, etc. are processed against any of your prior searches or prior results...

[SWBTATTReg]

4. This is ridiculous. Why would someone want this option, no filters, no searches? When one is on...

the internet, they tend to concentrate on topics of their favorite items, thus, it makes sense to have more of the same subject matter show up, when you're done viewing the first article/post/digital item...I like this. And, you can change the searches yourself by simply highlighting or viewing that particular topic and then your results will be slanted towards that new particular topic. I like the intelligence built in, and that one can change it too.

I know that they are proposing an alternate version of no filtered versions of a topic to be provided, etc., but where does this end? Will this eventually led to some sort of political blackmail or demand that allows some sort of favoritism on searches/etc.?

I hope not...I don't want anyone else telling me what I can or can not watch. Nor do I want someone writing some sort of stupid law or bill trying to shift those results either, which I know that they'll slant these results towards one side. NO! Stay away from my Internet, Stay away from my free speech, for in effect, them trying to slant/tilt the search algorithm results is imposing on my free speech. Let my results and only my results slant any results.

[hunter]

5. Reality has a well-known liberal bias.

Something has to be done about that.