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Google has removed an extension for the Chrome browser from its online store. The software contains a crowd-sourced list of Jewish names; during a browsing session, it would detect matching names in Web pages and surround them with three sets of round brackets.
From PCMag:
Google this week removed a Chrome extension that identified the names of prominent Jews on websites with a user-generated list.
The "Coincidence Detector" Chrome plugin reportedly had 2,473 users and a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, according to Mic, which earlier this week published an investigation into the online tactics of white supremacists.
The plugin scanned the text of websites for matches on its frequently-updated list of Jewish names. When it found a match, it encased the name in three sets of parenthesis, an identification format that originated on a right-wing blog called The Right Stuff, according to Mic. Users could add new names to the app's database by posting them on the app's support tab.
A screenshot of the extension's installation page showed that it was last updated on Jan. 16. Its publisher was listed as "altrightmedia," likely a nod to the similarly-named ultraconservative movement in the US.
coverage:
(Score: 2) by Soybean on Monday July 04 2016, @06:05PM
> I can see that value too, especially if I was trying to research everything related to a single person.
You are going to have to explain that logic.
In what way does adding parenthesis around the name of a person you are "trying to research" increase your ability to "research" them? Especially when compared to a simple control-F "find in web page."
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Monday July 04 2016, @08:05PM
Yeah that, and I suppose you can (almost ironically) Google the names, since Ctrl-F doesn't crawl the web. (unless they determine your search is racist in nature, block it, and report you to the FBI).
As racist as the guy is, I am still more uncomfortable with blocking anything for what really are political reasons. Let the users make their own choices.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 04 2016, @08:16PM
In this case it is most likely a PR move, but I guess you can call that political. Someone said that it violated their terms of service...
I'm torn between condemning the plugin and railing against censorship patterns from corporations. I guess it just highlights that Google is pro-censorship, so just another reason to not trust their services.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Monday July 04 2016, @09:51PM
Yeah, but is Google really obligated to carry specific apps for hate movements? This app had no other purpose, and use, than identifying Jewish people by a well-known white supremacist code (3 boxes).
I guess if they really want to organize and develop software to assist them in their racist goals, nothing can reasonable stop them, but I don't see that Google is obligated to enable them. The white supremacy movement can create their own app store, platforms, etc.
Censorship is one thing, denying hateful racism in your private "ecosystem" is another.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Monday July 04 2016, @10:14PM
Of course they need to keep actual malware off the site. The problem is when Google filters content, they can be forced to remove anything somebody doesn't like, whether they want to or not. Look what Europe is doing to their search results. It's why we need more things like Yacy [yacy.net] to avoid the issue of censorship and government/corporate control entirely.
I never tried because I don't use Chrome, but can you load extensions that are not from the play store? If you can, then this isn't really an issue either. It's just another feel good press release.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 05 2016, @01:26AM
Google pulls stuff for content all the time, just like Apple does. The only reason this example is getting news coverage is because white nativism is ascendant again.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Tuesday July 05 2016, @02:40AM
Yeah, you know why [youtube.com], right?
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 05 2016, @06:04AM
Because the niggers are getting uppity?
Sure seems to be the implication of you linking to that sketch.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Tuesday July 05 2016, @06:11AM
Oh jeeze! I "triggered" somebody... Heh, I love/hate to see the reaction if that skit ran again on SNL next week. NBC stations would be torched from coast to coast.
*sigh* All the happiness is gone from this world.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday July 05 2016, @08:04PM
It quite seriously has, and that's unfortunate for all of us. I haven't seen happiness around these parts for years, and I don't expect it back in my lifetime.
People can't take jokes anymore. We're past being able to make fun of what is going on, at least myself.
That being said, that skit was always funny as hell.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Monday July 04 2016, @09:46PM
You're correct in that it is feature overlap. Google ostensibly indexes everything with text anyways. The value otherwise that I see is the crowd sourced list to keep adding individuals to a group, and then search by entire group. Unfortunately, this app only has one category labeled, "Final Solution", instead of a several hundred categories related to specific fields of interest.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.