Warning to Google from Minister Uraloğlu: 'We will take action if unfairness is detected'

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made statements regarding the significant decline in traffic experienced by independent media organizations as a result of Google changing its news listing algorithm in Turkey. Appearing as a guest on Hakan Çelik's program on CNN Türk, Uraloğlu announced that the issue was addressed in meetings held with Google.

Stating that many media organizations have suffered traffic losses of up to 80 percent due to the algorithm change, Minister Uraloğlu said, "Google Turkey representatives conveyed that this regulation was made by the global headquarters and that they were not informed. We are now waiting for a second response. If we detect unfairness, we will take action together with the Competition Authority."

ALLEGATION OF GOOGLE'S ALGORITHM CHANGE

The algorithm update Google made on its "News" and "Discover" platforms has significantly reduced the visibility of independent media organizations. This situation has caused major losses in visitor numbers, especially for sites engaged in genuine journalism.

"WE ARE WAITING FOR THE RESPONSE FROM GOOGLE'S GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS"

Uraloğlu stated that they learned during the meeting with Google Turkey representatives that the global headquarters was behind the regulation, and used the following expressions:

"We will act according to the response that will come from Google's global headquarters by cooperating with the BTK and the Competition Authority. If there is an injustice, we will intervene as Turkey."

TRAFFIC LOSSES HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED IN SOME NEWS SITES

The algorithm change has seriously affected not only the reach of independent media outlets but also their advertising revenues. While it is pointed out that Google Turkey has not provided transparency regarding the issue, it is stated that the losses experienced have left media organizations in a difficult economic situation.

Independent media organizations emphasize that this situation harms democratic journalism and demand that Google make a transparent statement as soon as possible and reorganize the algorithm.

News Source: 12punto