Whether shared on popular platforms, such as Google or Tripadvisor, the so-called online guides rate establishments on their location, prices, type of food, hospitality, service quality and more. One would normally expect to see advisers recommend restaurants, hotels and bars. And although for most reviewers in Britain it is the case, others choose to also post ratings of bars — prison bars that is. For example, HMP Belmarsh has a rating of 3.2 on Google. Commentators point out that "accommodation" in the prison is "basic" but food is served punctually." HMP Belmarsh is a Category 'A' male adult prison located in south-east London, with the operational capacity of 910 prisoners. Home to a Special Security Unit (SSU), some of the country's most dangerous prisoners are kept in Belmarsh, including individuals awaiting trial for terrorism charges. © AP Photo / … [Read more...] about Limited Menu, Friendly Roommate, Would Visit Again: Google Reviews of UK Prisons
Google manager reaches agreement with prosecutors (2)
(ANSA) - Milan, June 1 - A Google manager, Graham Law, has reached an agreement with Milan prosecutors to convert a sentence into a fine of several tens of thousands of euros in relation to alleged tax evasion by the Internet giant, sources said on Friday. Google has already agreed to pay the internal revenue agency 306 million euros in taxes in relation to the case. … [Read more...] about Google manager reaches agreement with prosecutors (2)
Google lied about size of Pentagon AI contract, tried to hide project – leaked emails
Google misled the public about the size of the company’s contract to develop AI for the Pentagon, and its executives chose against publicizing its participation in the project, leaked emails obtained by The Intercept show. Diane Greene, the chief executive of the company’s cloud business unit, recently told employees that revenue from Project Maven – a Pentagon program under development which aims to use artificial intelligence to help drones identify human ground targets without the assistance of human operators – was “only” for $9 million. But internal company emails from September 2017 obtained by The Intercept suggest otherwise. READ MORE: 'Not in the business of war': Google employees urge company to abandon Pentagon AI project One message, said to be from Aileen Black, a member of Google’s defense sales team, noted that the deal would rake in $15 million over the next 18 months. The email also said that the budget for the … [Read more...] about Google lied about size of Pentagon AI contract, tried to hide project – leaked emails
Google blames Wikipedia for “Nazism” tag on California GOP
SAN FRANCISCO -- Google is blaming Wikipedia for search results that said the ideology of the California Republican Party included "Nazism." Results were seen in a Google information box screen-captured by Vice News on Thursday. The story was quickly seized on by Republicans. U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose district is in central California, tweeted that the results were a "disgrace." In another tweet, McCarthy said, "Sadly, this is just the latest incident in a disturbing trend to slander conservatives. These damaging actions must be held to account." California Republican Party executive director Cynthia Bryant said in a statement that Google and Wikipedia should take more ownership of what is published on their sites. Google quickly adjusted the information box to remove the section on ideology, calling the change "vandalism." A search of change records shows the term "Nazism" was added to the Wikipedia entry twice in the last week before being taken down by other … [Read more...] about Google blames Wikipedia for “Nazism” tag on California GOP
Google’s ‘Reserve’ tool winning converts, taking search to next level
Alphabet Inc’s Google is drawing thousands of new customers to gyms and salons each month through an appointment-booking tool released last year, Reuters has learned, a quiet step in the company’s transition to the next generation of search. The service, known as Reserve with Google, spares users the phone calls, online searching and form filling typically associated with appointments. Say you want a massage at 5 p.m. someplace within a half-mile of work. Google.com/maps/reserve displays openings at nearby businesses and allows users to book, and even pay, without having to call or visit another website. Google declined to comment on performance of the tool, which it launched last March. But in interviews with Reuters, seven software firms that supply schedule data to Google described the volume as significant, with as much as 75 percent of bookings representing new customers. Consumers like the convenience. Business owners say the tool is putting their names in front of … [Read more...] about Google’s ‘Reserve’ tool winning converts, taking search to next level