Tue 21 June 2022:
Google has been requested by US senators to fix abortion queries that lead to “anti-abortion fake clinics.”
According to USA Today, several Democratic members of Congress have requested Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to address concerns over “anti-abortion fake clinics” appearing in Google search and map results for abortion information.
A report by the non-profit organization, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, was deemed “especially concerning” by Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Elissa Slotkin in a letter dated.
The CCDH report found 37 per cent of Google Maps results and 11 per cent of Google searches for “abortion clinic near me” and “abortion pill”, in states with “trigger laws,” that would take effect automatically or through quick state action if Roe v. Wade is overturned, were for “anti-abortion fake clinics”.
The CCDH report also found that 28 per cent of Google ads displayed atop search results were for anti-abortion clinics, the report said.
One ad for a Mississippi clinic appeared to offer free abortion consultations, but upon looking at its website the CCDH said it found the clinic does not perform abortions or provide referrals for the procedure.
“Across our products, we work to make high-quality information easily accessible, particularly on critical health topics,” the tech giant was quoted as saying in a statement to USA News.
“Any organisation that wants to advertise to people seeking information about abortion services on Google must be certified and show in-ad disclosures that clearly state whether they do or do not offer abortions,” the company added.
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