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[Ed note: This story was originally posted 2019-08-15 04:41 UTC but was lost when we had the site crash Thursday morning. Prior comments have, unfortunately, been lost. --martyb]
'Google Blocked TorrentFreak From Appearing in Search Feature'
Documents released by whistleblower Zachary Vorhies suggests that Google actively blocked hundreds of sites, including TorrentFreak, from its Google Now service. The blocklist doesn't provide a specific reason for the blockade, but other sites are flagged for having a high user block rate or for peddling hoax stories. Vorhies has shared the documents with the US Department of Justice.
At TorrentFreak, we have written hundreds of articles about website blocking and censorship. Today, we're featured in one ourselves.
Leaked Google documents reveal that TorrentFreak.com shows up in one of Google's previously unknown blocklists, which actively hides our domain from the Google Now service.
Google Now was a Google search feature that presented users with informational cards, to provide users with more details on subjects of interest to them. While the brand no longer exists, the feature is still present in the Google Android app and its feed.
The controversial blocklist is part of a treasure trove of files that were leaked by whistleblower Zachary Vorhies, who shared them with Project Veritas. The entire collection of files uncovers many previously unknown policies and actions from Google.
The story that broke SoylentNews™.
See also (Zachary Vorhies in the news): YouTube Software Engineer Describes Seeing Altercation In Building Courtyard
America's Greatest Makers is like American Idol for geeks, so we talked to one
Previously: Veritas Claims Leaked Internal E-Mails from Google Showing Political Bias of Results
(Score: 4, Insightful) by janrinok on Friday August 16 2019, @01:22PM (3 children)
I'm sure that I will lie awake at night unable to sleep because of the firm and robust actions you are about to take.
So has the left wing, the moderates, the liberals and those who have no particularly strong views in any particular direction. They are all welcome here to express their opinions and to join in our discussions.
(Score: 2, Funny) by aristarchus on Friday August 16 2019, @05:27PM (2 children)
And you say this after it was intimated on IRC that I was responsible for the recent site crash? You have no idea what you are dealing with, janrinok! Powers beyond your comprehension! Have you heard of the "Dim Mak" [imdb.com]? The thing about an aristarchus shadow ban is that there is really no way to tell whether it is in effect. But its super effective.
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Friday August 16 2019, @07:58PM (1 child)
Citation needed. I was AFK and read about it the next morning and all I saw was Chromas trying his hardest to fix the problem and not cause more damage in the process.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 4, Interesting) by aristarchus on Friday August 16 2019, @09:31PM
https://logs.sylnt.us/%23soylent/2019-08-15.html [sylnt.us]
I think that he thinks not.