Former U.S. President Donald Trump, now the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has made a new and bold accusation against Google, alleging that the tech giant manipulates search results to display predominantly negative news stories about him. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared that, if elected in the upcoming November 5 election, he will seek to prosecute Google, claiming the company engages in illegal activity aimed at interfering with elections.

Trump’s Accusations on Truth Social

Trump’s latest statement follows a pattern of repeated claims that major tech companies, including Google, are biased against him. In his post, he said, “It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about” Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who is currently the Vice President of the United States.

Trump did not provide any evidence for his claims or offer specifics about who had “determined” the alleged wrongdoing. Nonetheless, he called for the U.S. Department of Justice to take action, stating, “This is an illegal activity, and hopefully the Justice Department will criminally prosecute them for this blatant interference of elections.” He further pledged that, should he win the election, he would personally pursue the maximum legal action against Google.

As of now, Google has not commented on the allegations.

Trump’s History with Google

This is not the first time Trump has accused Google of bias against him. In 2019, he made similar claims, alleging that Google manipulated its search algorithm to prioritize negative stories about him during the 2016 election. According to The Washington Post, Trump took to Twitter (now known as X) to voice these concerns, asserting that Google’s search engine was biased and part of a broader campaign to harm his presidency.

Google, however, has consistently denied these accusations. In response to Trump’s 2019 claims, the company said that its algorithms are designed to deliver relevant results based on user searches, without any bias toward political content. The company emphasized that its goal is to provide users with the most accurate and useful information, regardless of political affiliation.

Despite Google’s denials, Trump’s accusations have resonated with some of his supporters, many of whom have long believed that major tech platforms are biased against conservative viewpoints. The idea of “Big Tech” suppressing conservative voices has become a key issue in Republican political rhetoric, particularly as social media and search engines play an increasingly important role in shaping public discourse.

Renewed Allegations of Bias in 2023

The issue resurfaced again in 2023 when some of Trump’s supporters, including influential figures like Elon Musk, reignited allegations that Google is suppressing pro-Trump content. In July, just days after an attempted assassination plot against Trump, Musk took to X to accuse Google of imposing a “search ban” on the former president.

Though Musk did not provide concrete evidence for his claim, his post fueled further speculation among Trump’s base. The idea that Google and other tech companies are part of a coordinated effort to stifle conservative voices has gained traction in certain circles, despite repeated denials from the companies involved.

Google, for its part, has long insisted that its search algorithm is not designed to favor one political viewpoint over another. The company maintains that it uses complex algorithms to index web pages based on factors like relevance, quality, and user engagement, and not political bias.

Broader Concerns Over Big Tech’s Role in Elections

The broader issue of tech companies’ influence over elections has become a contentious topic in recent years. Critics on both the left and right have raised concerns that companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (X) wield too much power over what information the public sees, potentially influencing voter behavior.

For conservatives, the concern has largely centered on the idea that these platforms disproportionately silence right-leaning viewpoints. They argue that content moderation policies are applied more harshly to conservative voices, leading to accusations of censorship. In response to these concerns, several Republican lawmakers have called for greater regulation of tech companies, including proposals to limit their immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields tech platforms from liability for user-generated content.

On the other hand, many Democrats have expressed concern that tech platforms allow misinformation and harmful content to spread unchecked, potentially affecting election outcomes. Some have called for stricter content moderation policies to prevent the spread of false information, particularly in the lead-up to elections.

What’s Next for Trump and Big Tech?

Trump’s latest statements about Google indicate that, if elected in 2024, he may push for further scrutiny of tech giants, including potential legal action. His accusations of election interference, while not new, reflect his broader distrust of tech companies and his belief that they are working against him and his political movement.

However, it remains unclear whether these claims will hold up under legal scrutiny. Previous investigations into allegations of bias by tech companies, including Google, have found no substantial evidence that their algorithms are politically motivated. Still, Trump’s base remains convinced that “Big Tech” is part of a broader effort to undermine their political goals, making this an issue that could play a significant role in the 2024 election.

As the election season heats up, it is likely that accusations of bias, censorship, and election interference will continue to be a central topic of debate, with tech companies like Google and social media platforms caught in the crossfire.

(Adapted from ThePrint.in)