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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: 3, Informative) by janrinok on Friday August 16 2019, @01:48PM (1 child)
Editors have no responsibility for fact checking what is said in comments. TFS is entirely correct in that it quotes an extract of an article published by TorrentFreak. Our responsibilities end there with regards to fact checking.
So when I pointed out that I disagreed with your moderation - you did the same again to me - you modded me as a Troll. You like that technique, don't you... Again, personally I think that 'Disagree' would have been more appropriate. (By the way, you don't have to tell me who moderated me.)
No, that is not true. Normally moderations are a purely personal matter. But when moderating is being abused then it is appropriate that anyone seeing it calls it out. To be fair I was expecting jmorris to have his arse handed to him on a plate for what he wrote, but I hadn't expected someone who was capable of doing just that from trying to suppress his comments by using the Troll mod. Although you will not care and you certainly won't agree, I don't think you have presented yourself well in this. I could perhaps have phrased things better too. Again, that is my personal opinion which I, as a member of this community, is free to express.
When we are doing our individual roles on the site we all respect the trust that has been placed in us and we give our time willingly. However, we are all members of this community and, in the comments, we are free to express our personal views. Buzz does it, I do it, we all comment here as individuals. You are not alone in thinking that our 'professional' role and personal comments conflict - but I can assure you that they don't. If they were to other members of the team would make sure that it was pointed out to us. It has happened. But if you feel that we should be doing our formal role 24 hours a day then you might have to start paying a lot more for the privilege.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Friday August 16 2019, @02:57PM
You didn't just disagree, you expressed you disagreement in a disingenuous, patronizing and dismissive way.
That is what made me mod you as troll. And, on top of that, your haste in "defending" a lie (under the guise of an opinion) without checking it.
(I said the above twice already, if you make me say it thrice, it will make it true [google.com] - grin)
Since when expressing an opinion is an abuse?
Pardon? What makes you so sure I intended to suppress his comments? All I did was to signal to fellow soylenters "there be stinky dragons and lies, careful how you thread"; I thought I explained this well enough the first time.
And, pray tell, how I'm actually capable to suppress comments? His comment is just there, I haven't ban him (I'm not able, much less capable to do it), I can't delete his comment, I didn't "deplatform" him, it's a -1 mod point, I'm not capable of doing more than that.
Sincerely, I'm highly tempted to consider this as an insult: attempting something that I know for sure I'm not capable of would mean my intellect is on the feeble side of the IQ. Do you really think of me this way?
And support the consequences as any other member of the community when you categorically, no trace of a doubt, build strawmen which then allow you to be dismissive.
For reference:
1. "This has been moderated as a Troll for writing facts..." - not facts, lies. And I didn't moderate it troll because of innocent lying or honest mistakes, but because lying was employed in bad faith, to blame the victim and morally exonerate the killer. I feel, based on my particular life experience, that isn't just an opinion, that's manipulation.
2. "Grow up and debate like adults." - like "fuck off, prick, whaddaya thunk you know 'bout this here life or 'bout the rulz of S/N?"
I know I'm far from representative, but I have this weird rule in life:"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right". Modus tollens: "If you can't do something right, then it ain't worth doing". In your case, "I'm OK if you are doing for less than 24 hours a day, I didn't ask you to. But whatever long you are doing, at least try to do it right. And, please, learn from your mistakes"
But as I already admitted, that's just me, I don't pretend I'm representative and I'm not asking others to share my view (though I'd be pleased to see that others do).
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfSteveKeen https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford