Google’s Algorithm Mistakenly Tags an Engineer as a Serial Killer

Google's algorithm mistakenly tagged an engineer from Switzerland as a notorious serial killer, The Sadist, which he shared the same name with.

Android Authority reported that upon searching the name Hristo Georgiev, Google showed the picture of the engineer on top of the Wikipedia snippet of the infamous serial killer and rapist.

With that, those who did not personally know him could falsely associate his face with The Sadist.

Google Algorithm Mistake

The snippet highlighted that the murderer has been sentenced to death due to his crimes from 1974-1980. On the other hand, the photo shows the face of another Hristo Georgiev, who currently works at Raiffeisen Schweiz as an engineer.

Furthermore, The Sadist killed a total of five people, mostly women, and raped them. That said, it will be alarming to have your face attributed to such appalling acts. More so, the people you'll likely meet in the future might get the wrong impression of you after they search your name on Google.

Google Knowledge Graph Search Algorithm

Specifically, the Google Knowledge Graph Search algorithm is the culprit for this frightening mess.

Its website for developers said that it helped list notable entities as it predictively completed their profile in the search result.

In related news, Google's Algorithm rolled out an update this June 2. It brought changes to the overall landscape of the search engine optimization.

Google Algorithm Mistake: How Did the Victim Found Out?

Hristo Georgiev first posted about the mishap on his website. He then narrated how he only discovered that Google turned him into a serial killer through one of his former workmates.

His past colleague emailed him a screenshot of the search result and wrote: "Searching your name on Google yields a knowledge panel which incorrectly put your picture for a serial killer (due to the same name)."

He even asked in jest if he murdered anyone.

Read Also: Google to Stop Slanderous Websites from Roaming the Internet - Here's What You Need to Know

Google Algorithm: Engineer to Serial Killer

After Georgiev opened the email, he went straight ahead to Google his name. It confirmed that his face is being displayed beside a notorious murderer.

Initially, the engineer assumed that he was a victim of a distasteful prank. Perhaps because the incident was too far-fetched to be orchestrated by a search engine giant. However, when he accessed the Wikipedia page of the killer, it had an image of him.

As of writing, Google has already resolved the issue.

Georgiev further said that although he is rightfully in the position to sue the tech giant for the damage, the lack of a lawyer in the United States made him decide to let go of the idea.

Elsewhere, here are the highlights of Google Workspace's features.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris