Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

As seen in Wired and TimeÂ

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A revealing look at how negative biases against women of color are embedded in search engine results and algorithms

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Run a Google search for â€œblack girlsâ€â€”what will you find? â€œBig Bootyâ€ and other sexually explicit terms are likely to come up as top search terms. But, if you type in â€œwhite girls,â€ the results are radically different. The suggested porn sites and un-moderated discussions about â€œwhy black women are so sassyâ€ or â€œwhy black women are so angryâ€ presents a disturbing portrait of black womanhood in modern society.

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In Algorithms of Oppression, Safiya Umoja Noble challenges the idea that search engines like Google offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas, identities, and activities. Data discrimination is a real social problem; Noble argues that the combination of private interests in promoting certain sites, along with the monopoly status of a relatively small number of Internet search engines, leads to a biased set of search algorithms that privilege whiteness and discriminate against people of color, specifically women of color.

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Through an analysis of textual and media searches as well as extensive research on paid online advertising, Noble exposes a culture of racism and sexism in the way discoverability is created online. As search engines and their related companies grow in importanceâ€”operating as a source for email, a major vehicle for primary and secondary school learning, and beyondâ€”understanding and reversing these disquieting trends and discriminatory practices is of utmost importance.

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An original, surprising and, at times, disturbing account of bias on the internet, Algorithms of Oppression contributes to our understanding of how racism is created, maintained, and disseminated in the 21st century.

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Safiya Noble discusses search engine bias in an interview with USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

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Country USA
Manufacturer NYU Press
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2018-01-08
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	NYU Press
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2018-01-08
Format	Kindle eBook

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

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