Google’s Ad System Has Become Too Big To Control

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GOOGLE IS ONE of the most advanced search and advertising platforms on the Internet, but a research paper suggests the company may lack the ability to keep discriminatory and privacy policy-violating advertisements off its services.Research conducted by three computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University and the International Computer Science Institute discovered that Google’s AdSense platform is capable of discriminating against women looking for employment and targeting consumers based on their health information.

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In one experiment, Google predominantly showed ads for executive-level positions to accounts identified as male. Female accounts, on the other hand, were more likely to be served job postings from an auto parts dealer, Goodwill, and a generic job-hunting service.

In another experiment, ads for drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers were served to accounts which previously browsed websites about substance abuse. Similarly, accounts that visited websites regarding physical disabilities were shown ads for accessibility products. Read more