Imagine trying to do online research on breast cancer, or William S. Burroughs famous novel Naked Lunch, only to find that your search results keep coming up blank. This is the confounding situation that faced Microsoft Bing users in the Middle East and North Africa for years, made especially confusing by the fact that if you tried the same searches on Google, it did offer results for these terms.
Problems caused by the voluntary blocking of certain terms by intermediaries are well-known; just last week, we wrote about how payment processors like Venmo are blocking payments from users who describe the payments using certain termslike Isis, a common first name and name of a heavy metal band, in addition to its usage as an acronym for the Islamic State. Such keyword-based filtering algorithms will inevitably results in overblocking and false positives because of their disregard for the context in which the words are used.
Search engines also engage in this type of censorshipin 2010, I co-authored a paper [PDF] documenting how Microsoft Bing (brand new at the time) engaged in filtering of sex-related terms in the Middle East and North Africa, China, India, and several other locations by not allowing users to turn off safe search. Despite the paper and various advocacy efforts over the years, Microsoft refused to budge on thisuntil recently.
At RightsCon this year, I led a panel discussion about the censorship of sexuality online, covering a variety of topics from Facebooks prudish ideas about the female body to the UKs restrictions on non-conventional sex acts in pornography to Icelands various attempts to ban online pornography. During the panel, I also raised the issue of Microsofts long-term ban on sexual search terms in the Middle East, noting specifically that the companys blanket ban on the entire region seemed more a result of bad market research than government interference, based on the fact that a majority of countries in the MENA region do not block pornography, let alone other sexual content.
Surprisingly, not long after the conference, I did a routine check of Bing and was pleased to discover that Middle East had disappeared from the search engines location settings, replaced with Saudi Arabia. The search terms are still restricted in Saudi Arabia (likely at the request of the government), but users in other countries across the diverse region are no longer subject to Microsofts safe search. Coincidence? It's hard to say; just as we didn't know Microsoft's motivations for blacklisting sexual terms to begin with, it was no more transparent about its change of heart.
Standing up against this kind of overbroad private censorship is importantcompanies shouldnt be making decisions based on assumptions about a given market, and without transparency and accountability. Decisions to restrict content for a particular reason should be made only when legally required, and with the highest degree of transparency possible. We commend Microsoft for rectifying their error, and would like to see them continue to make their search filtering policies and practices more open and transparent.
More:
Microsoft Bing Reverses Sex-Related Censorship in the Middle East - EFF
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, MP Warns [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, Kremlin Warns [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship is no way to hold a debate [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Irreverent: A Celebration of Censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- More online censorship coming to closed countries, says report [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- New book retraces the idea of censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Strike Against SOPA & PIPA [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Sonam Kapoor: I Don't Believe In Censorship! Supports AIB roast! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #4 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- China 'great firewall' expands to step up Internet censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- DIRTY GUILD WARS 2: The Voice Cast - Unnecessary Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Into the Fray Episode 47: NFL Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Weekly Rewind "Feb 1st" Facebook Censorship? - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Street Fighter 3 2nd Impact CENSORED - Akuma's Defeat Portrait's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Inside WM: Is Censorship Ever Okay? - Ep. 3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- China Targets Virtual Private Networks In Censorship Push - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Tricks to Beat Internet Censorship (On Assignment) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Anal Sex - Video Clip with Remi Newman - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Graphic Content Warnings - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- KIDS vs. FOOD - Unnecessary Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Christian Censorship of Truthiracy - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 War Hammer - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Youtube Media Censorship - #NWO 134 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Listen To "Cyberspace Spirit," China's Anthem To Internet Censorship [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook self-censorship: What happens to the posts you ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Unnecessary Censorship of a bunch of Cartoons! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- DAT CENSORSHIP! - Let's Play Saints Row IV #3 (Playthrough) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Rundown Live #414 Open Lines (Corruption,Waking Up,Censorship) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook To Implement Chinese Style Internet Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Paris Fashion Week Debuts Butt Plugs in Reaction to Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook Censorship: What They're Not Telling You - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Best of Unnecessary Censorship Compilation by Jimmy Kimmel - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: When Truth Becomes a Casualty - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Ice Climber CENSORED - Yeti/Seal Enemy - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 Tomahawk - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: The Story Telling Podcast #73 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Rape scene in Hotline Miami 2 and censorship - The Tara Show - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #3 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Destiny Unnecessary Censorship - Censored Cutscenes - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- What's Cool in China? Censorship, Teenage Couples, Gay Guys - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- YOUR Thumbs UP Vanish! + Google Censorship...a Way Around It - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Zoom Censorship Examples 9-11 to Bosoms Version 2 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Let's Play The Forest | Part 2 | Censorship! - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- INTEL Museum censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Proxy Database - Access Restricted Information, Bypass Censorship! - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Criminal Girls Invite Only CENSORED - Punish/Motivate Time/Spanking - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Let's Try: Stay Dead Evolution: Nazi Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Loser Laowai on Censorship in China Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Censorship? - - Project Censored [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship | American Civil Liberties Union [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship Update: My channel is back! - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle CENSORED - Rock Paper Scissors - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- Internet Censorship - Big Brother is Watching Everything - YouTube - Video [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2015]
- What is Censorship? - Global Internet Liberty Campaign ... [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GSC Owner Forces Censorship of Youtube Video - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Before It's News Lisa Haven Used To Be A Skeptic! (On Chrislam, Facebook Censorship, The Madhi) - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Top Censored Gaming - Sexy Edition Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Soul Calibur CENSORED - Mitsurugi/Arthur Character - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Censorship Moments in Rooster Teeth - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Chinas Internet Censorship Agency Has Its Own Anthem And We Translated It - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Manga Censorship Discussion - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Top Censored Covers - Gaming Box Art Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Cars 2 CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Tuff E Nuff CENSORED - Gameplay's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon 64 CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Evil Zone CENSORED - Erel Plowse's Outfit - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Pilotwings 64 CENSORED -Turin Shroud's Jesus Christ Face/Everfrost Island - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Inro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Another World (Out Of This World) CENSORED - Nudity - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Jannie's Grandpa Boss/Tentacle - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- OBAMA WANTS INTERNET CENSORSHIP, START A NEW WAR, FORCIBLY VACCINATE YOU, AND SIGN THE TPP. - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Silent Hill CENSORED - Grey Child/Mumbler Enemies - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Mario Party CENSORED - Mini Games/Luigi & Wario Losing - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Ursula Dropping Pants For Sailors - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Fou-Lu Decapitating Emperor Soniel - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Resident Evil 2 CENSORED - Player Death Scenes/Animations - Video Game Censorship - Video [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]