Google fixes ‘where to vote’ issue in Harris, Vance searches
Google said Tuesday it fixed an error that was causing a “where to vote” panel to appear when searching for Vice President Harris and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
The search giant said the panel was triggered for certain searches, such as “where to vote for Harris” or “where to vote for Vance,” because Harris and Vance are also both names of U.S. counties.
Google claims it fixed discrepancy showing poll locations for Harris searches, but not Trump
Google claimed Tuesday that it had fixed an issue in which user search queries for “Where can I vote for Harris” generated an interactive map tool to find polling places, while queries of “Where can I vote for Trump” received no such benefit.The search giant said that the issue stemmed from its algorithm conflating Vice President Kamala Harris’ last name with Harris County, Texas, where Houston is located.
The 'bias machine': How Google tells you what you want to hear
"We're at the mercy of Google." Undecided voters in the US who turn to Google may see dramatically different views of the world – even when they're asking the exact same question.
Justice Department calls for sanctions against Google in landmark antitrust case
Justice Department calls for sanctions against Google in landmark antitrust case The Department of Justice is proposing a series of sanctions against Google to ensure that it can no longer monopolize the search engine market. In a filing late Tuesday night, the government laid out its framework for reining in the tech giant. Proposals include possibly putting an end to exclusive agreements Google has with companies like Apple and Samsung, and prohibiting certain kinds of data tracking. The government wrote that it’s considering “behavioral and structural” remedies that would ensure...
US judge orders Google to open app store to rivals
A US federal judge has ruled that Google must allow Android apps made by rival technology firms onto its Google Play app store for three years starting next month.
The change was among several remedies ordered by Judge James Donato in a case brought against Google by Epic Games, the maker of the hit video game Fortnite.
Google says it will appeal against the decision and ask for a pause to the proposed remedies.
In December, a jury sided with Epic, which says Google stifled competitors by controlling the distribution of apps and payments on Android phones.
Epic Games expands feud with Google in suit over Samsung phone settings
Epic Games expanded its antitrust legal fight with Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces. Epic Games Inc. expanded its antitrust legal fight with Alphabet Inc.’s Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces through default settings on mobile devices sold all over the world. Epic, maker of the video game “Fortnite,” won a jury trial last year over claims that Google monopolized app distribution on Android devices, and a judge...
Google backs privately funded satellite constellation for wildfire detection
Space is more accessible than ever thanks to the proliferation of small satellites and more affordable launch prices, which opened the door to bespoke applications like global pollution monitoring, crop observations, and new ways of collecting weather and climate data. Now you can add wildfire detection to the list. Satellites have observed wildfires from space for decades, but a new initiative partially funded by Google's philanthropic arm aims to deploy more than 50 small satellites in low-Earth orbit to pinpoint flare-ups as small as a classroom anywhere in the world....
Google's AI model faces probe over data use in EU
The inquiry is "of crucial importance in ensuring that the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals are adequately protected," the Irish regulator helping to police European Union data privacy said. Irish regulator the Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an inquiry into Google's artificial intelligence development. "The Data Protection Commission today announced that it has commenced a cross-border statutory inquiry into Google Ireland," the DPC said in a statement.
I'm Bummed the Apple iPhone 16 Adopted Qi2 Before Samsung and Google Did
I’m back with another iPhone versus Android comparison. But this time, I’m writing as a forlorn Android user scorned by the manufacturers who make the ecosystem as popular as it is. Google and Samsung failed to adopt Qi2 this year, the new wireless charging standard incorporating faster charging speeds and magnetic capabilities. But Apple didn’t. It included the Qi2 charging ability in both tiers of the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are equipped with Qi2, which supports faster charging over MagSafe. And since Apple owns its...
Google faces another DOJ antitrust lawsuit over alleged ad-tech monopoly
Google is set to face its second antitrust trial since September 2023 against the Department of Justice on Monday, this time over its alleged monopolistic power in the ad-tech industry.
The DOJ is filing a lawsuit against Google arguing their advertising technology services creates an unequal field for their competitors and has allowed them to create a monopoly in the advertising space, leading to higher ad prices for customers.