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Google adds auto blur feature to any explicit image even if SafeSearch is turned off

Feb 9, 2023 by Alex Baker 5 Comments

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Google adds auto blur feature to any explicit image even if SafeSearch is turned off

Google is rolling out a safer image search feature over the coming months that will blur any images that it deems explicit. It will apparently do this automatically using AI, even if the Safe Search feature is deactivated. Google has apparently initiated this to celebrate ‘Safe Internet Day’.

The news was announced yesterday in a blog post and is aimed at keeping families and young children safer when online. There will also be advances in privacy features in addition to the image-blurring tool.

The announcement says that the blur setting “will be the new default for people who don’t already have the SafeSearch filter turned on, with the option to adjust settings at any time.”

Google adds auto blur feature to any explicit image even if SafeSearch is turned off

SafeSearch already filters out any dubious results for any users under 18. However, this filter will give searchers the option to view the image, but with the warning that it may contain explicit content.

Essentially it’s not so different from the warnings given over explicit content filters deployed by Meta on Facebook and Instagram. Giving people the choice of whether or not to view such content can only be positive in general.

However, given that the feature is using AI to flag such images does demand some investigation into which types of images are being blurred, and subsequent arguments about image censorship must surely follow.

Last month Instagram was advised to reconsider its policies on image censorship following an investigation by its advisory board. The board found that there was a direct correlation between image censorship and discrimination against women and the LGBTQ communities.

[Via Gizmodo]

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Filed Under: news Tagged With: censorship, google, image blur

About Alex Baker

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

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Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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