Google autocomplete suggested antisemitic searches to UK users
A report by the Community Security Trust and Antisemitism Policy Trust analysed Google searches in the United Kingdom and found that Google's autocomplete formula was suggesting antisemitic search queries, directing users to hateful content. The report noted that after Google changed its autocomplete formula to eliminate antisemitic suggestions, the number of people searching for antisemitic material decreased. The research highlights how algorithmic systems can amplify hate.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google Search autocomplete
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google AI Overviews generate erroneous search summaries
In May 2024, Google launched AI Overviews, a feature in Search that generates AI-powered summaries. Shortly after, users reported odd and erroneous overviews for some queries, including satirical or nonsense results. Google acknowledged the issues in a blog post and stated they made more than a dozen technical improvements to reduce inaccuracies. The company said that less than one in 7 million queries resulted in a content policy violation.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- AI Overviews
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google and Bing surface nonconsensual deepfake porn in top search results
The article reports that Google and Bing search engines display nonconsensual deepfake pornographic images of female celebrities at the top of image search results when searching for women's names combined with "deepfakes" or general terms like "fake nudes". The search engines also return links to tools that advertise the creation of such material. Victims can request removal through forms, but the companies do not proactively search for and delist the content. Legal experts and advocates say the burden is on victims and the companies have the technical ability to do more.
- Company involved
- Google, Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Google Search, Bing Search
9 source articles · read the reporting →
X's Grok exposed hundreds of thousands of user chats in Google
Hundreds of thousands of conversations with Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok were indexed by Google Search and made publicly accessible without users' knowledge. The exposure occurred when users pressed a share button that created unique links, but those links were also searchable online. The BBC reported the incident after Forbes initially identified more than 370,000 exposed chats. Experts described the leak as a privacy disaster, and X has not publicly responded.
- Company involved
- X
- AI system involved
- Grok
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Maps directed Tahoe travellers onto dangerous roads during snowstorm
During a severe snowstorm in the Lake Tahoe area in December 2021, Google Maps allegedly directed travellers to closed-off and dangerous roads, including a narrow forest road. A professor publicly criticised the routing as a failure that could lead to deaths. Google acknowledged the issue and stated it was working to update routes using information from local authorities.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google Maps
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Uber users angry over New Year's Eve surge pricing in Australia
Uber's dynamic pricing algorithm increased fares by up to 800% on New Year's Eve in Australia, leaving some users with bills hundreds of dollars above normal. Skye Shanahan was charged $720 for a trip that usually costs $100, and Kris Keen paid $330 for a $40 ride. Uber defended the surge pricing, saying it encourages more drivers, and offered $180 credit to Shanahan.
- Company involved
- Uber
- AI system involved
- surge pricing
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Waltham Cross residents say Google data centre construction has ruined their area
Residents living near Google's £790m data centre under construction in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, say it has generated constant noise, blocked their views and reduced house values, and some believe the work has made them ill. Google said its $1 billion investment would bring compute capacity to the UK and that it was committed to being active members of the community. The construction is expected to be complete next year.
- Company involved
- Google
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Delta uses AI from Fetcherr for domestic ticket pricing
Delta Air Lines is using generative AI from Fetcherr to determine some domestic flight prices, currently covering 3% of its network with plans to reach 20% by end of 2025. Democratic senators expressed concern that the AI could be used for individualized pricing based on personal data, leading to higher fares. Delta denies using personal data in pricing and states it complies with regulations. No actual harm has been reported.
- Company involved
- Delta Air Lines
- AI system involved
- Fetcherr
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Check Point Research finds Google Bard can generate phishing emails and malware
Check Point Research analysed Google's generative AI platform Bard and found it could be used to create phishing emails, malware keyloggers, and basic ransomware code with minimal manipulation. Bard's anti-abuse restrictors were significantly lower than ChatGPT's, making it easier to generate malicious content. The researchers demonstrated these capabilities in controlled tests but did not report actual harm to specific individuals or organisations.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Bard
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Lens AI overviews share misleading information about images
Google Lens's AI overviews provided false and misleading information about images, including miscaptioned videos and AI-generated footage. Full Fact found that the overviews repeated debunked claims and failed to identify inauthentic content. Google acknowledged the errors and said they were caused by problems with visual search results.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google Lens AI overviews
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Autocomplete omits Trump assassination attempt suggestions
Google's Autocomplete feature was found to be omitting suggested search terms related to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13, 2024. Users and politicians, including Donald Trump Jr. and Senator Roger Marshall, accused Google of election interference. Google stated that no manual action was taken and that its systems include protections against predictions associated with political violence. The company said it is working on improvements.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Autocomplete
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Gemini generated false cheese statistic in Super Bowl ad
In a Google Super Bowl ad, the Gemini AI system displayed a false statistic claiming that Gouda accounts for 50 to 60 percent of the world's cheese consumption. Nate Hake pointed out the error on X, and Google executive Jerry Dischler responded that it was not a hallucination and that users could check references. Google later removed the statistic from the video on YouTube.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Gemini
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Edinburgh Airport AI trial gives passengers different parking prices
Edinburgh Airport admitted it was trialling an AI system that randomly set higher or lower parking prices for online bookers, with customers receiving different quotes for the same service. The Scottish Passenger Agents Association called for the trial to be conducted in controlled 'lab' conditions rather than on the public. The airport said the AI's pricing closely matched staff-set prices and the findings would evaluate whether to adopt the system.
- Company involved
- Edinburgh Airport
- AI system involved
- AI trial for parking pricing
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Google apologises for Baftas alert containing racial slur
Google sent a news alert about the Bafta awards ceremony that included a racial slur, suggesting users 'see more' on the term. The alert was triggered by a failure in Google's safety features for push notifications. Google apologised and removed the notification, stating it was not due to generative AI.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google News alerts
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Google's SGE recommends spam sites in search answers
Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) is recommending spam websites as part of its AI-generated answers, according to a viral tweet from SEO expert Lily Ray. The tweet and replies indicate that users are being directed to spam and pornographic sites. The issue appears to be ongoing, with no response from Google yet.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- SGE (Search Generative Experience)
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Google contractors targeted homeless people for Pixel 4 facial recognition data
Google hired Randstad to collect facial data to train the Pixel 4's face recognition system. Contractors allegedly targeted homeless people and unaware students, using deceptive tactics such as calling it a "selfie game" and offering $5 without informing subjects they were being recorded. Google suspended the research program and opened an investigation following the report.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Pixel 4 facial recognition
1 source article · read the reporting →
Adobe Firefly trained on thousands of Midjourney images, Bloomberg reports
Bloomberg has reported that Adobe's Firefly image generator was trained using thousands of images from competitor Midjourney. Adobe says these made up about 5% of the training data and were part of the Adobe Stock library. The company has marketed Firefly as ethically trained and offered enterprise customers indemnity against copyright claims. Adobe responded that all Adobe Stock images undergo moderation, but the report has raised questions about Firefly's copyright safety.
- Company involved
- Adobe
- AI system involved
- Firefly
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Employees Warn Bard AI Chatbot Gives Dangerous Advice
Before Google launched its Bard AI chatbot in March 2023, employees testing the tool found it gave dangerously incorrect advice, including instructions on landing a plane that would cause a crash and scuba diving tips that could lead to serious injury or death. Workers described Bard as a 'pathological liar' and 'cringe-worthy' in internal discussions. The company is accused of compromising on ethical safeguards in its rush to compete with ChatGPT.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Bard
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Cloud Used in CBP AI Virtual Border Wall Contract
The Intercept reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection accepted a proposal to use Google Cloud artificial intelligence for its Innovation Team, including work with Anduril Industries' surveillance towers. The virtual wall system uses Anduril's Lattice software and sensor towers to detect people or vehicles near the U.S.-Mexico border and relay their locations to agents. Google declined to comment, and CBP and Anduril did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- AI system involved
- Google Cloud AI Platform with Anduril Lattice and Sentry Towers
1 source article · read the reporting →
Grab's surge pricing algorithm always adds fees, investigation finds
An investigation by the Pulitzer Center found that Grab's ride-hailing app in the Philippines always includes surge fees in its fares, even when wait times are long. Customers like Rica Torres reported rising costs without explanation. A complaint filed with the LTFRB in 2022 remains unresolved, and the regulator has not determined how the algorithm sets surge rates.
- Company involved
- Grab
- AI system involved
- Grab app
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Google sued for secretly tracking user data with Gemini AI
Google is accused in a class-action lawsuit of secretly activating its Gemini AI assistant for Gmail, Chat, and Meet users in October 2025, enabling it to collect private communications data without consent. The suit alleges violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act. Google has not responded to the allegations.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Gemini
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Instacart used AI to charge different customers different prices for same items
Instacart, a grocery delivery company, was found to have used AI pricing algorithms to charge some customers up to 23% more than others for identical products at the same location. Research by Groundwork Collaborative, Consumer Reports, and More Perfect Union, based on data from 437 shoppers, revealed price fluctuations averaging 7%. Instacart acquired the AI firm Eversight in 2022 and began experimenting with dynamic pricing. The company stated that the tests have ended.
- Company involved
- Instacart
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Google's Waze App Blocks Wildfire Escape Route in Los Gatos, Residents Say
Residents of historic neighborhoods in Los Gatos, California, allege that Google's Waze navigation app is routing heavy beach traffic through their streets, blocking the only wildfire evacuation route. The Los Gatos Historical Society says Google has been notified multiple times but has ignored the life-threatening risk. A U.S. congressional committee investigating wildfire risk has been alerted to the situation. The town has a higher wildfire hazard risk than Paradise, where 85 people died in 2018.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Waze
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Maps faces questions after three men die in Bareilly bridge crash
Three men died when their car fell from an unfinished bridge in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, after Google Maps allegedly directed them onto the route. The bridge had partially collapsed in floods and lacked barricades. Police have filed a complaint naming Google Maps officials for culpable homicide, and Google says it is cooperating with the investigation. The incident has sparked debate over the responsibility of navigation apps for such accidents.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google Maps
2 source articles · read the reporting →
