Harmed by the algorithm: search engines liability for automatically-generated suggestions

Authors: Borghi, M. and Karapapa, S.

Conference: Caught in the Net: International Accountability and Information Harms

Dates: 14-15 November 2013

Abstract:

Associations of keywords in ‘search suggestion’ facilities (like Google Autocomplete and Yahoo! Search Suggestions) have triggered a number of litigations all over the world, where claims such as defamation, harm of business reputation and inducement of copyright infringement have been brought before courts. The paper examines the (often contradictory) court decisions on this matter, and questions how automatically-generated suggestions per se can have a harmful effect. It concludes that courts should take a different approach when proprietary interests or personality rights are affected, and that in the latter case the search engine’s freedom of speech should be properly balanced with end user’s right of informational self-determination.

Source: Manual

Harmed by the algorithm: search engines liability for automatically-generated suggestions

Authors: Borghi, M. and Karapapa, S.

Conference: Caught in the Net: International Accountability and Information Harms

Dates: 14-15 November 2013

Abstract:

Associations of keywords in ‘search suggestion’ facilities (like Google Autocomplete and Yahoo! Search Suggestions) have triggered a number of litigations all over the world, where claims such as defamation, harm of business reputation and inducement of copyright infringement have been brought before courts. The paper examines the (often contradictory) court decisions on this matter, and questions how automatically-generated suggestions per se can have a harmful effect. It concludes that courts should take a different approach when proprietary interests or personality rights are affected, and that in the latter case the search engine’s freedom of speech should be properly balanced with end user’s right of informational self-determination.

Source: Manual