Watchman: Google, DuckDuckGo, and Bing Have Hidden the Truth, and the People Are Misled and Forever Harmed!

Not only is Google, Inc. the largest information provider globally, but it also holds the largest censorship position.

The firm, usually without the approval or authority of any outside advisory body, industry association, or government agency, maintains at least nine distinct blacklists that have an influence on our lives. There are other businesses besides Google that censor online material. Reddit has often been accused of blocking posts on certain subjects, and a new allegation claims that Facebook has been removing conservative news items from its feed. This could have a big impact on public opinion and possibly even elections. But as of right now, Google is the biggest bully in town.

When Google personnel or algorithms choose to restrict our ability to obtain information on a news story, political candidate, or company, perceptions and decisions may change, reputations may be damaged, and companies may fail. At the moment, victims of online censorship have little to no remedy because the practice is completely uncontrolled. Authorities will most likely need to intervene at some point, much like they did in 1970 when credit bureaus were controlled. The alternative would be to give a big business the ability to use a particularly harmful form of power—the power to shame or exclude—that should only be used very sparingly and by the general public.

That would be one thing if Google were simply another mom-and-pop store with a sign outside that said, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." But Google, the portal to all knowledge, has quickly taken on the role of an indispensable in people's lives, almost as indispensable as oxygen or water. We shouldn't allow Google to refuse people services in the same arbitrary and covert manner that we don't let public utilities do.

Aside from its search engine, DuckDuckGo also sells a mobile browser of the same name. However, despite its claim to remove hidden third-party trackers, some from a certain tech company are still able to function, which has sparked worries.

Watchman: The public is misled and permanently harmed because Google, DuckDuckGo, and Bing have concealed the truth!