Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian state to sue Google over 'ugliest Indian language' search result

AN Indian state is planning to send a a legal notice to Google after the search giant showed the state's official language as the "ugliest language in India".

The southern Indian state of Karnataka said that it will sue Google as a search with these keywords on Thursday (3) showed Kannada as the top result, reported the BBC.


Later, the US firm fixed the search results and released a statement apologising for "the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments", the report added.

Many, including leaders from the southern Indian state, expressed their outrage at the search result.

According to the report, Karnataka minister Aravind Limbavali demanded an apology from the tech company saying that this was an attempt by Google to insult the pride of Kannadigas (Kannada speakers).

"The Kannada language has a history of its own, having come into existence as many as 2,500 years ago. It has been the pride of Kannadigas all through these two-and-a-half millennia," Limbavali tweeted.

Following the outrage, Google said that the search feature wasn't always perfect, adding that sometimes "the way content is described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries".

"We know this is not ideal, but we take swift corrective action when we are made aware of an issue and are continually working to improve our algorithms," a statement from the tech firm said.

"Naturally, these are not reflective of the opinions of Google, and we apologise for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments."

"Not just Kannada, no language is bad, adding that abuse against languages is painful. Is it impossible for Google to curb such hatred against any language?," said HD Kumaraswamy, former chief minister of the state, in a string of tweets.

More For You

indian-illegal-workers-arrested

The 609 arrests, compared to 352 in January 2024, were made during visits to over 800 premises

Getty Images

Over 600 arrested for working illegally, 73 per cent increase from last year

UK immigration enforcement teams made over 600 arrests in January, a 73 percent increase on the same period a year ago, as part of the new Labour government's plan to tackle undocumented migration and people smuggling gangs, officials said on Monday.

The 609 arrests, compared to 352 in January 2024, were made during visits to over 800 premises including nail bars, restaurants, car washes and convenience stores, a government statement said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protesters rally against China's planned mega-embassy in London

A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Protesters rally against China's planned mega-embassy in London

HUNDREDS of demonstrators protested at a site earmarked for Beijing's controversial new embassy in London over human rights and security concerns.

The new embassy -- if approved by the UK government -- would be the "biggest Chinese embassy in Europe", one lawmaker said earlier.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

Singh is charged with “assault with sexual motivation” (Photo for representation: iStock)

Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

AN INDIAN national is among four persons arrested by US immigration authorities over charges related to sexual assault.

Jaspal Singh, 29, an Indian citizen was arrested on January 29 in Tukwila, Washington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

Andrew Gwynne (Photo: UK parliament)

Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

A Labour party lawmaker said he regretted "badly misjudged" comments after prime minister Keir Starmer sacked him as a minister.

It is the latest bump in the road Starmer's government has hit in its first seven months in power despite a landslide election victory in July last year.

Keep ReadingShow less