Is Google’s Alleged Election Interference a Menace to Democracy?

An expert claimed Google’s alleged interference in the 2022 elections could have altered the outcome.

Dr. Robert Epstein, a Harvard-educated academic, presented his findings to the Arizona legislature, suggesting Republican candidate Kari Lake would have emerged victorious if not for Google’s purported meddling.

Epstein’s research indicates that Google’s influence extends far beyond what most people realize. He claims the tech giant has the power to shift millions of votes by manipulating search results and reminders to vote.

According to Epstein, this bias is not evenly distributed. His findings suggest liberals receive voting reminders at a significantly higher rate than conservatives, potentially influencing election outcomes.

The fake news never talks about any of our cases.

They act like everything’s done. It’s not.

Today, we are presenting our case against the use of electronic voting machines at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pray for a just ruling. pic.twitter.com/awDFHWV610

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 12, 2023

The implications of these allegations are staggering. If true, it means a single corporation could potentially sway the results of a national election. Epstein argues this is not just a theoretical concern.

In the 2022 Arizona election, he asserts that Democrat Katie Hobbs’ narrow victory over Republican Kari Lake was due to Google’s interference.

Though how does Google allegedly achieve this? According to Epstein, the company uses what he calls “ephemeral experiences” to subtly influence users.

These include search suggestions, YouTube recommendations, and other fleeting online interactions that can shape a user’s perceptions and beliefs. Epstein’s research suggests these experiences are heavily skewed towards liberal viewpoints, particularly for younger users.

This issue sparked intense debate within the Arizona Legislature.

State Representative Alex Kolodin, chair of the Arizona House Ad Hoc Committee on Oversight, Accountability, and Big Tech, initiated a series of hearings to investigate these claims. The committee is exploring potential legislative solutions to prevent such interference in future elections.

.@KariLake: “You know, it’s no wonder that the Fake News doesn’t want to interview me because they’re afraid of what might happen and it won’t look good for them.” pic.twitter.com/bf8USo9mvW

— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) September 13, 2023

However, the problem is complex and multifaceted.

First Amendment attorney James Kerwin suggested several potential legislative measures, including clearer regulations on how officials interact with Big Tech and expanding public records laws.

However, these measures alone may not be enough to counteract the immense influence of companies like Google.

The debate over Big Tech’s role in elections is far from over. As Epstein’s research continues to garner attention, it is clear this issue will remain at the forefront of political discourse.

The question remains: How can we ensure the integrity of our elections in the digital age? This is a challenge that lawmakers, tech companies, and voters alike must confront head-on.

This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.