Google is in the spotlight after internal emails show conversations between employees highlighting a desire to manipulate search results on the heels of President Trump’s controversial travel ban in order to mute conservative viewpoints and push ways to combat the ban.
Like many Silicon Valley titans, Google has drawn the ire of conservatives who feel right-leaning views are condemned from within. But internal company emails made public by Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Thursday appear to show employees wanted to curate Google’s algorithm to boost left-leaning political views on immigration.
The emails were written on Jan. 29, 2017 — two days after Trump signed the initial travel order that resulted in protests across the country. The emails indicate that Google employees suggested ways to “leverage” the search engine to combat what the tech giant staffers considered anti-immigration rhetoric and news. The email chain, which was first obtained by “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and quickly matched by the Wall Street Journal, shows Google staffers admitting to colleagues that action must be taken immediately to rally against the travel ban.
“Overall idea: Leverage search to highlight important organizations to donate to, current news, etc. to keep people abreast of how they can help as well as the resources available for immigrations [sic] or people traveling,” an email sent by a marketing employee said.
“I know this would require a full on sprint to make happen, but I think this is the sort of super timely and imperative information that we need as we know that this country and Google, would not exist without immigration,” a product manager responded.
According to “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” responses from other Google employees included comments such as, “we’re absolutely in,” and “excellent initiative.” Other emails reveal an employee called the situation a “highly political issue,” while a separate email detailed a “large brainstorm” that was apparently taking place throughout the company.
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