Google shows Trump's photo if you search for 'idiot'
San Francisco, July 20 : After grabbing headlines for showing results related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the search of the word "Feku" in May, Google algorithms are again hogging the limelight. This time for showing images of US President Donald Trump for a search of the word "idiot".
The latest image onslaught is apparently the result of a campaign by online activists who are manipulating Google's algorithm by linking the word to an image of Trump, CNET reported on Thursday.
According to a report in The Guardian this week, the trend began with Reddit users upvoting a post containing a photo of Trump and the word.
The campaign to link the word "idiot" with the US president's images has taken the form of an online protest as it is spearheaded by people who are not happy with Trump's policies.
By helping prioritise information presented in search results, Google's algorithms have played stellar role in the rise of the company, but at times they have also played the spoilsport.
In May, a Google search for the name "Pappu" led to results related to Congress President Rahul Gandhi. "Feku" and "Pappu" are less-than-flattering names given by the opponents of parties of Modi and Gandhi.
In April, Google showed pictures of Modi if one searched for "India's first Prime Minister" until the glitch was corrected by the global search engine.
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Pune influencer deletes Ganeshotsav reel on Hindu-Muslim unity following social media backlash
Pune: A Pune-based content creator Atharva Sudame, who has 1.7 million Instagram followers, deleted a reel promoting social harmony ahead of Ganeshotsav after facing backlash online.
The Hindu reported that the video depicted Sudame as a devotee purchasing a Ganpati idol. A young boy wearing a skullcap delivers lunch to the idol maker, prompting an awkward silence. The idol maker subtly suggests Sudame could buy elsewhere, to which Sudame replies, “My father tells me, you should be the sugar that sweetens kheer and sheer kurma, you should be the brick that builds a temple or a mosque.” The idol maker responds that his own father always made idols with pure intent.
While many praised the reel for its message of unity, others criticised it, calling Sudame “overrated” and accusing him of misrepresenting Pune. “Atharva Sudame has created filth and will have to face consequences,” wrote a Facebook user, while supporters urged him not to remove the video.
On August 25, Sudame deleted the post and apologised, stating he had no intention of hurting religious sentiments. “We have reached a level where talk of Hindu-Muslim unity evokes violence. Yet, it is heartening that even in such an atmosphere we have people like Atharva Sudame who can and do talk about Hindu-Muslim unity,” wrote academic Apoorvanand on X.
Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar commented that such discrimination is against the Constitution.
