Something there’s been fairly animated HN discussion about recently - another example here of how putting profit ahead of principles could be causing substantial harm.
Aside: I appreciate the subject matter itself is controversial, perhaps we could focus more on the permitted scope of big tech rather than right to choose.
Well here, Google didn't take a stance, which is right, I think.
Being against abortion is not illegal, and about as many people think abortion is immoral as people think being convincing women not to abort is immoral, so why should Google go one way or the other? Maybe they should ban all ads related to abortion, or link to government websites (which may have a stance you don't like, but at least, that's from elected officials). But then, there is the issue of organic search results.
BTW, I am what you would call "pro-choice", so I disagree with the inclusion of anti-abortion groups in ads, but my opinion doesn't matter here, I don't expect Google to push my own opinions, especially on controversial moral issues.
I think the thing people are reacting to is that the advertisements themselves are deceptive--a person could well come across the ad while looking for information about how to get an abortion, and not learn until making a phone call that the organization is actually a covert anti-abortion agency. And perhaps not even then--maybe their advice is couched in medical terms rather than moral ones.
It shouldn't be misleading though, that's basically fraud.
>“NHS abortion advice”, “confidential abortion support” and “pregnant teenager help"
Imagine if it was reversed, and abortion advocates(if such people even exist), bought up keywords for pregnancy, and filled them with links saying "pregnancy help". And once you get there, there is no actual pregnancy help but just people giving you factual information on how pregnancies are often dangerous, post natal depression, and how easy and safe abortion is, and offer an abortion right then and there.
As always it's a question of deception.
Not sure many "struggling with an unplanned pregnancy" would want to discuss the issue with an "anti-abortion group" ...
If you want less abortion maybe work on preventing unwanted pregnancy with maybe something like increase support for contraception not try to manipulate vulnerable women ...
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[ 4.6 ms ] story [ 30.9 ms ] threadAside: I appreciate the subject matter itself is controversial, perhaps we could focus more on the permitted scope of big tech rather than right to choose.
Being against abortion is not illegal, and about as many people think abortion is immoral as people think being convincing women not to abort is immoral, so why should Google go one way or the other? Maybe they should ban all ads related to abortion, or link to government websites (which may have a stance you don't like, but at least, that's from elected officials). But then, there is the issue of organic search results.
BTW, I am what you would call "pro-choice", so I disagree with the inclusion of anti-abortion groups in ads, but my opinion doesn't matter here, I don't expect Google to push my own opinions, especially on controversial moral issues.
Outrageous.
>“NHS abortion advice”, “confidential abortion support” and “pregnant teenager help"
Imagine if it was reversed, and abortion advocates(if such people even exist), bought up keywords for pregnancy, and filled them with links saying "pregnancy help". And once you get there, there is no actual pregnancy help but just people giving you factual information on how pregnancies are often dangerous, post natal depression, and how easy and safe abortion is, and offer an abortion right then and there.
Would you say that should be encouraged?
If you want less abortion maybe work on preventing unwanted pregnancy with maybe something like increase support for contraception not try to manipulate vulnerable women ...