'We don't allow...': Google admits omitting Trump's assassination attempt search results

Google has admitted that it knowingly omitted the autocomplete search results regarding the assassination attempt against former US presidentDonald Trump, according to a report in Fox News.The search giant said the search results were prohibited by design and part of the company's policy for "hypothetical violence against current figures".

Google's admission comes after Senator Roger Marshall lodged a complaint against the company and wrote a letter, questioning the search algorithm.

"We do not allow predictions that can be interpreted as accusations against individuals or groups of serious malevolent acts, where there is a lack of well-established or expert supporting evidence," responded Google Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, US and Canada Mark Isakowitz.

Google clarified that its systems were the same before and after the failed assassination bid against Trump.

"These protections are not event-specific but rather applied to categories of possible searches. As a result, prior to July 13, 2024, it would have been inappropriate for our systems to offer any predictions involving possible assassination attempts on President Trump. In the immediate aftermath of the horrific events in Butler, PA, these systems were still in place and predictions related to the assassination attempt failed to appear."

"We recognise that these out-of-date systems led to an inadequate user experience," Google added.

Big Tech is trying to interfere in the election AGAIN to help Kamala Harris. We all know this is intentional election interference from Google. Truly despicable. https://t.co/gWDbFGaHI7 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 28, 2024

After Google's reply, SenatorMarshall said the search engine company had "openly" admitted to "blocking and eliminating search prompts regarding the assassination attempt on former president Trump".

"Most shocking is their bizarre written defence that Trump's assassination attempt was a 'hypothetical act of political violence' even up to the point of our public inquiry on July 28th," he added.

Watch |US Secret Service director grilled by lawmakers on Trump assassination attempt

Trump survives

Notably, 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Crooks, had fired a volley of eight rounds towards the former US president using an AR-15 rifle while he was addressing the rally in an open field in Butler County.

It was only after one of the bullets grazed Trump and killed a rallygoer that the Secret Service was able to neutralise Crooks.

Over a month after the incident, the FBI has not been able to uncover what was Crooks' motivebehind the shooting. Crooks' digital footprint was minimal which has forced the authorities to search elsewhere for clues.

(With inputs from agencies)