Google tweaks censorship filter for piracy terms

Last year, Google quietly began censoring terms it deemed were being used by pirates from its "Instant" and "Autocomplete" search.

This week, the company has blacklisted even more terms, including the names of certain popular sites.

A few of the new blocked search terms are "thepiratebay," "the pirate bay," "isohunt," "torrentreactor," "btjunkie," "kickasstorrents," "sumotorrent," "btmon," "extratorrent," "Torrent," "BitTorrent," and "RapidShare" have now all made the list along side cyber lockers like "4shared, "wupload" and "filesonic."

Google does make it clear, however, that it is not blocking the sites and terms from its search engine completely, just from the Instant and Autocomplete, making it a bit more annoying for the average lazy pirate.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2011 22:07

KSib

So now it's slightly less likely that Grandma or little Timmy will just happen across it while searching for pirates. Depending on your news source, you say see "Google blacklists BitTorrent;" which is a little misleading.

27.11.2011 02:24 #1

1nsan3

wow weird, but when i google thepiratebay it pops up in the first search result...

27.11.2011 11:01 #2

ntense69

Originally posted by 1nsan3: wow weird, but when i google thepiratebay it pops up in the first search result... Google does make it clear, however, that it is not blocking the sites and terms from its search engine completely, just from the Instant and Autocomplete, making it a bit more annoying for the average lazy pirate.

27.11.2011 13:44 #3

LordRuss

Google should have their ass smacked for censorship period! If there's one thing I hate is being told what I can/can't go looking for, read or whatever that isn't harming the rights of another. Especially seeing as I fought & signed away all my rights as it is for most of you folks (in the US anyway) to practice those rights to their fullest.

AOL censors their ISP subscribers from internet sites like crazy, now SOPA regulations are trying to push through the judicial system under our noses & corporate America is enacting their own form of communism. Controlling these people isn't going to happen through our wallets either. That's a myth.

These people like lawyers. My solution? Class action suit. Something with regards to infringements to constitutional rights, hate crimes & a couple other entrapments hinting towards kidnapping that smack of several other federal criminal activities & grind it in hard. They're all a flight risk, so no bail & get Interpol involved as well. Have a tribunal & take them down all the way. Sounds like 'we' have control of the 'situation' again.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

27.11.2011 13:55 #4

dEwMe

It's not just piracy terms. I am pretty sure adding nude, topless and etc will shut down the auto search thing too....lol

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

27.11.2011 14:51 #5

DDR4life

Originally posted by ntense69: Originally posted by 1nsan3: wow weird, but when i google thepiratebay it pops up in the first search result... Google does make it clear, however, that it is not blocking the sites and terms from its search engine completely, just from the Instant and Autocomplete, making it a bit more annoying for the average lazy pirate. I'm in agreement with insan3. Not only does thepiratebay come up at the top of the list, Google also autocompleted.

28.11.2011 16:07 #6

XdjxedxdX

Ya this is old news they did this already like a year ago and then stopped it but i guess there getting pressured from somebody again.
It's not a bad idea as it will keep little johnny from searching portable and getting porn after his first 3 letters.
It don't mean you cant search for it no more just not gonna give you the helper list that drops down when your filling stuff out.
Jeeze people read a bit.

28.11.2011 20:05 #7

ps355528

like we give a fuck? ???

ARR! Them pesky Navy! Get out of my sea!
irc://irc.villageirc.net/afterdawn http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/

28.11.2011 20:35 #8

DDR4life

@XdjxedxdX
I realize that I didn't mention the drop down helper list but it's still there. Still showing me thepiratebay as soon as I type "thep".

1.12.2011 00:11 #9

adam46

Originally posted by ps355528: like we give a fuck? ??? right on brother. as i approach 50 i remember a saying from my student days. and yes even back then we had a thing called FAST. back then we called this p.....g in the wind and its still that now

2.12.2011 11:56 #10

DADEO1

Originally posted by LordRuss: Google should have their ass smacked for censorship period! If there's one thing I hate is being told what I can/can't go looking for, read or whatever that isn't harming the rights of another. Especially seeing as I fought & signed away all my rights as it is for most of you folks (in the US anyway) to practice those rights to their fullest.

AOL censors their ISP subscribers from internet sites like crazy, now SOPA regulations are trying to push through the judicial system under our noses & corporate America is enacting their own form of communism. Controlling these people isn't going to happen through our wallets either. That's a myth.

These people like lawyers. My solution? Class action suit. Something with regards to infringements to constitutional rights, hate crimes & a couple other entrapments hinting towards kidnapping that smack of several other federal criminal activities & grind it in hard. They're all a flight risk, so no bail & get Interpol involved as well. Have a tribunal & take them down all the way. Sounds like 'we' have control of the 'situation' again. You made me yell "right on!"

3.12.2011 09:45 #11

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