Google apologises for hurting Kannada sentiments on Search after uproar


Bengaluru, Jun 4 (IANS): Facing a controversy after a Google Search with the keywords "ugliest language in India" showed "Kannada" in the results, Google India said on Thursday that it is not the reflection of the company, as it apologised for misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments.

The Search result sparked an outrage among the netizens earlier in the day, with the Karnataka government threatening to issue a legal notice to the company.

"Search isn't always perfect. Sometimes, the way content is described on the Internet can yield surprising results to specific queries," a Google India spokesperson told IANS in a statement.

"We know this is not ideal, but we take swift corrective action when we are made aware of an issue and are continually working to improve our algorithms. Naturally, these are not reflective of the opinions of Google, and we apologise for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments," the company spokesperson added.

The Search algorithm issue has been rectified now.

Minister for Kannada, Culture and Forest in Karnataka, Aravind Limbavali, took to Twitter earlier on Thursday and highlighted the controversy, demanding an apology from Google.

"Kannada language has a history of its own, having come into existence as many as 2,500 years ago! It has been the pride of Kannadigas all through these two-and-a-half millennia. If Kannada is now called ugliest language in India, it is merely an attempt by Google to insult this pride of Kannadigas," he said in the tweet.

Bengaluru Central MP, C.A. Mohan, also shared a screenshot of the Google Search engine showing Karnataka as ‘ugliest language in India'.

Mohan said Karnataka is home to the great Vijayanagara empire and the Kannada language has a rich heritage, a glorious legacy and a unique culture.

"One of the world's oldest languages, Kannada had great scholars who wrote epics much before Geoffrey Chaucer was born in the 14th century. Apologise @GoogleIndia," he tweeted.

After Mohan's screenshot went viral on Twitter, social media platforms were filled with outrage, demanding an unconditional apology from the tech giant as well as removal of any such offensive content associated with any language, including Kannada.

Janata Dal (S) strongman H.D. Kumaraswamy also lashed out at Google and sought to know why Google "behaves in an irresponsible manner" when it comes to the language.

 

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Anthony, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Ritesh. India belongs to Indians. Which religion they follow or practice is not anybody’s business.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rems, Mangaluru

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    That prompted me to search "ugliest religion in India" and the answer said 'India is the fourth worst country for religious violence'. Anyone to be blamed ?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ritesh, Hindutva India

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    India is a country of Hindus. Obviously, other religions should start respecting it and stop killing and converting Hindus.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Glen, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Respect is earned irrespective of religion.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amal jose, Urwa

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    @ritesh , India is not a country of Hindus,its country of people who lives here! Why religious hate man? Spread love not hate!

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Yashwanth h, Bengaluru

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Kannadave nam amma

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lokesh U M, Bangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    We all felt bad after seeing the status. After the complaint, Google has taken a swift action on this subject. It shows their commitment towards their profession. I appreciate.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    two rogue sites and some flaw in their logic is responsible for this... internet is based on simple programming tools and in many cases built on open tools... wicket minds can misuse...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Simple? Can you code a search engine then? Also do you know what open source means?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Joel..yes... I hv spent lifetime in IT field...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shuba, Mangaluru

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Everyone makes mistake but accepting is greater ! They have accepted the error which we should appreciate

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • sense_Shetty, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    India Should lead Democracy in Data.It should be a founding member of the United Nations of Data Council ..which keeps a tab on these internet Mafia .like twitter ,google,facebook ..etc ..they are trying to arm twist the world through the so called technology supremacy

    DisAgree [13] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Evans C Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA.

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    sense_Shetty, Mangalore, Your comments make no sense at all.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    You know thats actually a communist thing right?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Most of India does not even know the difference between Kannada , Tamil , Telugu and Malayalam. And for most of the north Indian people south india means TN , KA , AP , KL all clubbed together. I was surprised when I asked a buch of people where is Karnataka and they all replied inside Madras. Some of them didnt even know to locate KA On the map of India

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    All they had to do is report it to google and it would have been corrected. But BJP IT cell has to divert attention of people from real issues.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Abdul, Vidya Nagar, Kasaragod.

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Shame..... For us.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Nallasopara

    Fri, Jun 04 2021

    Google "Who is the most Stupid Person in the World" ...

    DisAgree [13] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse


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