Textbook case of 'whataboutism'. Besides, avoiding Facebook is easy. Avoiding Google is impossible. I am much more worried about Google because of that.
There's plenty of worry to go around. I would like to put aside the (very understandable) fear about Google for a second because I think the GP makes a good point.
My parents used to use the open web, but have also more or less exclusively started to use Facebook to "surf the web" and get all of their information. The 2016 election was a joke, my mother would constantly tell me about all these things she'd found out about "on Facebook". She'd click these links and keep getting more and more radical misinformation. I was honestly shocked at what her Newsfeed looks like. The worst thing is she isn't an abnormality, she's fairly typical of her generation.
I'm concerned by _any_ closed platform, especially when there isn't enough competition. I realize that's descriptive of many things my employer builds as well. But please don't discount the dangers of other closed ecosystems, it's a certainly related topic. The web by _anyone_ makes it a poorer place to be and there's attackers on all sides.
Google does plenty to spread misinformation as well, Youtube is a sewer giving outright conspiracy nutcases a platform, they continuously promote Breitbart, infowars and other despicable websites through Google News (the suggestion alone that I would like to see any of that content is revolting), they try to pretend that they care about end user privacy, including plastering all of Brussels' airport Zaventem full of posters and displays proclaiming that, never saw such a poster outside of that airport, just maybe they figured that's a good investment to reach regulators on the hoof.
Google is a dishonest and manipulative company that tries hard to pretend it is a sheep. But the teeth are clearly visible and those bloody pawprints tell a different story. I for one am not buying the 'Facebook is more evil than Google' line for a second, if only because FB at least stays in its lane, Google is everywhere.
Well, glad you're not in charge, then. If these publications really are crackpots then surely people will stop reading them? Freedom of speech and all that.
Disclosure: Googler.
If you really are a Googler - any anonymous coward can say that - you're not doing Google a service.
You also obviously don't understand what free speech means, which is depressing of someone skilled & intelligent enough to work at the big G.
Free speech is not the right to say what ever you want. It's the responsibility to stand behind and defend what you speak with real evidence.
The simple fact is these publications are promoted because they are popular, making no comment on accuracy. A massive corporation, even if I trust them as my employer, should never have such massive influence on our public conversation.
Popularity is a poor metric, but at least it's not censorship. I think even putting the thumb on the scales is dangerous.
Edit: I do see what you're saying, and I'm not advocating for a society where anything can be said without social consequence. I just think it's far too dangerous for FAANG companies to have that power all to themselves. The most well intentioned people can do terrible things...
It's really not as simple as you think.
Yeah, I do. These outlets are all as bad as each other. The only difference is a right-leaning individual is biased in favor of Breitbart propaganda and a left-leaning individual is biased in favor of CNN.
Respectfully, there's plenty to fix in your own house and you as a Googler have 1,000 times more of a voice to push for change than the average person.
Distributed platforms don't prevent moderation; they let you choose your moderator (including no moderator at all).