[pyman]

If Google accidentally generates an article claiming a politician in XYZ country is corrupt the day before an election, then quietly corrects it after the election, should we NOT hold them accountable?

Other companies have been fined for misleading customers [0] after a product launch. So why make an exception for Big Tech outside the US?

And why is the EU the only bloc actively fining US Big Tech? We need China, Asia and South America to follow their lead.

[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal

[jdietrich]

Volkswagen intentionally and persistently lied to regulators. In this instance, Google confused one Dave Barry with another Dave Barry. While it is illegal to intentionally deceive for material gain, it is not generally illegal to merely be wrong.

[pyman]

This is exactly why we need to regulate Big Tech. Right now, they're saying: "It wasn't us, it was our AI's fault."

But how do we know they're telling the truth? How do we know it wasn't intentional? And more importantly, who's held accountable?

While Google's AI made the mistake, Google deployed it, branded it, and controls it. If this kind of error causes harm (like defamation, reputational damage, or interference in public opinion), intent doesn't necessarily matter in terms of accountability.

So while it's not illegal to be wrong, the scale and influence of Big Tech means they can't hide behind "it was the AI, not us."