Google’s playful primary colors, quirky Doodles and whimsical office spaces are outward expressions of the company’s “Don’t be evil” motto. But the real work Googlers do trying to uphold that mantra goes far beyond flash.
I recently spoke with Ross LaJeunesse, Google’s global head of free expression and international relations, about what the company is doing to address hate speech, free speech and religious freedom online. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Brian Pellot: Why does Google have an entire team devoted to freedom of expression?
The below is excerpted from the Google guidelines:
“We encourage free speech and defend everyone’s right to express unpopular points of view. But we don’t permit hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race… and sexual orientation/gender identity).”
Biblical teaching against SS behavior has been characterized in other arenas as demeaning or hate speech. I would have liked to see Mr. LaJeunesse speak to that topic.
Same old thing. We allow freedom of speech except when we don’t. Even the strictest of tyranies allows one the freedom of speech to say that which is approved.