Is Google Hiding Porn on Image Search?

Some users cry foul over safe search changes
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 13, 2012 9:11 AM CST
Is Google Hiding Porn on Image Search?
You'll have to get pretty explicit with your search if you want Google to show you porn. (Screenshot modified to reduce negative space)   (Google/Newser)

We're sure none of our esteemed readers would ever use Google's wholesome Image Search to find filthy pictures of naked people committing depraved acts. But on the off chance that you do, you might notice that it's a little harder to find what you're looking for. Google yesterday implemented a change in its SafeSearch settings that some users are complaining is filtering out porn. "What is this? communism?! BRING BACK THE PORN!" one Reddit user complained yesterday.

But a Google spokesman tells CNET that nothing's being censored. "We want to show users exactly what they are looking for," he explains. "If you're looking for adult content, you can find it without changing the default setting—you just may need to be more explicit in your query." Indeed, it seems that SafeSearch is now off by default, with the drop-down box offering only the option to "filter explicit results." So if you're not finding what you're looking for, try adding words like, "sex," "porn," or "balloon bondage fetish." (More SafeSearch stories.)

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