Google has made the decision to remove a gaming app called “Slavery Simulator,” which allowed users to buy, sell, and torture virtual Black “slaves,” resulting in an outcry of racism in Brazil. The game, which was only available in Portuguese, revolved around users trading in slaves and attempting to prevent the abolition of slavery to accumulate virtual wealth. The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the app for “hate speech,” as it had been downloaded by hundreds of people.
Despite the app coming with a disclaimer condemning “all types of slavery” and the game being “solely for entertainment purposes,” Google has decided to withdraw it from its Play Store. In a statement, the company declared that it would not allow any applications promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups because of their ethnicity or skin color. Google has encouraged users to report offensive contents on their platform.
Brazil’s ministry of racial equality has also asked Google to implement measures to filter out and prevent the spread of content that contains hate speech, intolerance, and racism. Racism is still a prevalent issue in Brazil, which was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery in 1888, with more than 56 percent of the population being Afro-Brazilian.
Renata Souza, a leftist regional lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro, condemned the game and stated, “Here in Brazil, we have a neo-fascist movement that is not afraid to show itself… because of the lack of regulation on social networks. This is not only racism but also fascism.” The lights on the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro were switched off in solidarity with Vinicius Junior, who was subjected to racist remarks about his ethnicity while playing for Real Madrid in Spain.
Google has been vocal in opposing a bill aimed at curbing online disinformation in Brazil, saying that it is a threat to freedom of speech. Supporters of the bill see it as a necessary defense against disinformation and online extremism, while detractors believe it amounts to censorship. A Supreme Court judge ordered an investigation into Google and Telegram for their “abusive campaign” against the bill.
In other news, Google has made it clear that it is investing heavily in AI technology, and it has launched its first Pixel-branded tablet along with a foldable phone at Google I/O 2023. On the Gadgets 360 podcast called Orbital, the hosts discuss this development and more. The podcast can be found on platforms like Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms. Affiliate links may be present, and the website’s ethical statement explains their policy on this matter.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
