Member-only story

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

Walter Simmons

·14.5k Followers· Follow

Published in Safiya Umoja Noble

4 min read · 3 weeks before

1k View Claps

68 Respond

Save

Listen

In the digital age, search engines have become indispensable tools for accessing information. We rely on them to find everything from news and weather to products and services. But what happens when the algorithms that power these search engines are biased against certain groups of people?

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

by Safiya Umoja Noble

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5664 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	245 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In her groundbreaking book, Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, Safiya Umoja Noble argues that search engines are not neutral platforms. Rather, they are shaped by the values and biases of the people who create them. And these biases can have a profound impact on the way that people experience the world.

Noble's research focuses on Google, the world's most popular search engine. She shows how Google's algorithms are biased against people of color in a number of ways.

Eurocentrism: Google's algorithms favor white and European perspectives. For example, a search for "scientist" is more likely to return images of white men than women or people of color.
Racism: Google's algorithms also perpetuate racist stereotypes. For example, a search for "criminal" is more likely to return images of black men than white men.
Sexism: Google's algorithms are also sexist. For example, a search for "doctor" is more likely to return images of men than women.

These biases are not just a matter of academic interest. They have real-world consequences. For example, Noble's research shows that Google's biased algorithms can lead to

Discrimination in employment: People of color are less likely to be hired for jobs that require technical skills because Google's algorithms favor white and male candidates.
Discrimination in housing: People of color are less likely to be able to find affordable housing because Google's algorithms favor white and affluent neighborhoods.
Discrimination in healthcare: People of color are less likely to receive quality healthcare because Google's algorithms favor white and affluent patients.

Noble's book is a powerful indictment of the racism that is embedded in search engines. She argues that we need to hold these companies accountable for the harms that their algorithms cause.

We also need to work to create more equitable and inclusive search engines. This means developing new algorithms that are less biased against people of color. It also means creating more diverse and inclusive teams of engineers and product managers who are committed to building search engines that reflect the needs of all users.

The algorithms that power search engines are not just neutral tools. They are shaped by the values and biases of the people who create them. And these biases can have a profound impact on the way that people experience the world. We need to be aware of these biases and work to create more equitable and inclusive search engines.

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

by Safiya Umoja Noble

4.7 out of 5