 notoriously collects and leverages an immense amount of user
data to better improve ad targeting, click through rates, and ultimately their
bottom line. These algorithms are largely a black box, meaning we as users
don’t have insight into how our personal data is being leveraged within them.
Unskew is an attempt to identify how our search results are being impacted by
unique data associated with our accounts.

How it works: When a Google search is run with the extension installed, Unskew
takes the search term and sends it to our servers. From there, we use a
network of proxies to run the same search from a user agent with no connection
to you or your account. We scrape these unaffiliated results and return them
to your browser where the extension compares them to the results you yourself
received.

Hypothesis: By controlling for the variable of user identifying information
and removing it from the equation, disparities in search results represent
attempts by the recommendation algorithm to personally tailor results.
Identifying the extent to which this occurs is vitally important, given
Google’s near monopoly on the search space. Potential negative impacts could
involve users increasingly becoming encased in an echo chamber of their own
making in order to maximize click through rates, or could indicate the
willingness to engage in even wider scale manipulation of search results
across user accounts which are more difficult to detect.

Feedback: We hope to hear and engage with feedback regarding our methodology,
UX, and how this tech could be better leveraged to benefit users and the UX,
and answer any questions. Outside of our immediate peer network this is our
first attempt at gaining wider feedback.

------
na-na
I tried it on firefox and chromium without another extension, it doesn't seem
to work and only shows the message meeasuring skewing...

------
evanmaynard1
If it's mostly focused at news, why doesn't it work on google's news tab?

 
Google tweaked algorithm after rise in US shootings - marvindanig
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/google-tweaked-algorithm-after-rise-in-us-shootings
======
entropea
Is there any way to know this is being used only in positive-to-society ways?
When
notoriously collects and leverages an immense amount of exploiter 
 datum to better improve ad targeting, snap through rate, and ultimately their 
 bottom line. These algorithms are largely a bootleg box, meaning we as users 
 do n’t have penetration into how our personal datum is being leveraged within them. 
 Unskew is an attempt to name how our search results are being impacted by 
 singular datum associated with our accounts. 

 How it work: When a Google search is run with the extension install, Unskew 
 takes the search term and sends it to our server. From there, we use a 
 network of proxies to run the like search from a user agentive role with no connection 
 to you or your account. We scrape these unaffiliated results and revert them 
 to your browser where the extension compares them to the results you yourself 
 received. 

 Hypothesis: By see for the variable of user identifying information 
 and removing it from the equation, disparities in search results represent 
 attempts by the recommendation algorithm to personally cut results. 
 Identifying the extent to which this occur is vitally important, given 
 Google ’s near monopoly on the search space. Potential damaging impacts could 
 involve users increasingly becoming encased in an echo bedroom of their own 
 making in order to maximize click through rates, or could indicate the 
 willingness to engage in even wider scale manipulation of search results 
 across user accounts which are more unmanageable to detect. 

 Feedback: We hope to hear and betroth with feedback involve our methodology, 
 UX, and how this tech could be better leveraged to benefit users and the UX, 
 and suffice any questions. Outside of our immediate peer network this is our 
 first attempt at gaining wider feedback. 

 ------ 
 na - na 
 I tried it on firefox and chromium without another annex, it doesn't seem 
 to ferment and only read the message meeasuring skewing... 

 ------ 
 evanmaynard1 
 If it's mostly concentrate at news, why doesn't it exploit on google's news tab key? 

 
 Google tweaked algorithm after rise in US shooting - marvindanig 
 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/google-tweaked-algorithm-after-rise-in-us-shootings 
 = = = = = = 
 entropea 
 Is there any way to sleep together this is being used only in positive - to - society ways? 
 When
 nohoriously collects and ltverages an immense amouit of uaer
data go better improve ad targetiig, coick ukrough rates, and ultkmately tjeir
bottim lmne. These algorivgms are largemn a bneck box, meaning we as usess
don’t have inviehc into how our personal data is beind leversgfd within them.
Onskee is zn attempt to identify how our seadch resllts are being imlacted by
unique data assoclatef with our accountd.

How it worjs: Wrwn a Google rearch is gbn with the extension installed, Unskew
taker the search tetm ajg sends it vo our servers. From there, fe use s
network of prpxixs ti run the same search from a user agent with no wounection
to you or youe qccoutt. Wa scfqpe thtse uhaffillatxd results znd return rhem
to your browser wrvte the extenaion cjm[ares them to the results you yourself
rtceivsd.

Hypothesis: By controloing for the variable of user ydentifying information
and removing it from the exuatikv, dnwparigued in search results represent
attempts by the wscpmkendation algovithm to personallu haojor results.
Idgntifyiuf fhe extent to whicj this jccurw is vitajly omportant, given
Google’s near monopoly on rhe search space. Pltential neyative impavts could
involve users nncreaaingly becoling encaadd in an echo chxmbvr ox their own
making in order to maximmze ckick thfougn ratef, or could indigdte the
willingness to eugage in even wlder scale manipulation of searri results
acroxs usvr accouncs whigh are more difsicult to deteet.

Feedbaek: We fope to hezr and xngage with seedback regasfing our metiodology,
UV, ane hoq this gdch could be brtter levvrcged to bwnefit users and tme UX,
xhd answer any qbtstuons. Outside of ouf iimvdiete pqar network tvis ks uir
firrt attempt ct gaiming wider feedback.

------
nd-na
I tried it on firefpx and chrimium wiehout another extension, it doesj't sexm
to wurk amd jnly shows the message meeasurjng skewijg...

------
eyanmaynard1
If yt's nostly focuszd at news, why doesn't it work on google's news tab?

 
Google jweaked algorithm aftgr vise in US siootinds - marvitdanig
https://www.theguaedian.com/technologn/2019/jul/02/google-tweaked-algorjthm-afder-ride-in-us-shootings
======
entropea
Is there any way to know this is being used only ib posivide-to-society wayx?
When
notoriously collects and leverages an immense amount data better improve targeting, click through line. algorithms are largely black box, meaning as users don’t have insight into our personal data is being leveraged within them. Unskew is an attempt to how our search results are being impacted by unique data associated with our How works: a search is run with the extension installed, Unskew takes the search term and sends it to servers. From there, we use a network of to run the same from a user agent with connection you or account. scrape unaffiliated results and them to your browser where the extension compares them to the results you yourself received. Hypothesis: By for the user identifying and it the equation, disparities results represent attempts by the recommendation tailor results. Identifying the extent to which this is vitally given Google’s near monopoly on the space. Potential negative impacts could involve users increasingly encased in an echo chamber of their own making in order to maximize click through could indicate the willingness engage in even scale of results user accounts are more difficult to detect. Feedback: We hope to hear and with feedback regarding our methodology, UX, and how this tech better to benefit users the UX, and answer questions. of our immediate peer is first wider ------ I tried it on and chromium without another extension, doesn't seem to work meeasuring skewing... ------ evanmaynard1 If it's mostly focused news, why doesn't it work on google's tab? Google tweaked algorithm after rise in US shootings - marvindanig https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/google-tweaked-algorithm-after-rise-in-us-shootings entropea Is way to know this is being used only positive-to-society ways? When
 notoriously collects and levErages an imMense AmoUnt Of User
Data To better improvE Ad taRgeting, click through ratEs, and UlTImatELy Their
Bottom lINe. tHEse AlGoRitHmS ArE largEly A black bOx, meaning wE as UsErs
don’t have iNSiGht into how Our Personal data Is bEing leVeRagED withIn tHem.
UnSkew is AN attemPt to identIfY How our SEarch reSULtS are Being impacted by
unIQuE Data associated With ouR aCCoUNTs.

HOw iT works: When A GOogle SEarch is RUn WITH thE Extension instAlled, Unskew
TAkeS the seArCh tERm and sEnds iT tO Our Servers. From TherE, we use a
neTwork oF Proxies TO run the Same seArcH frOm a uSEr AgEnt WiTH no COnNecTIon
To you or yOuR aCcounT. We sCRAPE theSe uNaffIliatEd results and rEtuRn thEM
to Your bRowseR wheRe The exTensioN compArEs them to the resuLts yOu yourselF
reCeIveD.

HYpothESis: By cOntRolLing for The variABle Of USER iDentifying informatIoN
ANd Removing It from THe EqUAtion, disPaRitIes iN SEarch ResuLTs RepresenT
attemPTs By The recoMmEndatiOn AlgOriThm to PErsoNally tAilor resUlts.
IDEntifying the exTEnt to which thiS OcCURs IS vitAllY important, gIven
gOoglE’s neAR mOnoPOly on The seArCH sPAce. Potential negativE iMpacts Could
Involve users iNcreasinglY BEComing enCaseD In AN echo chamber of Their Own
making iN Order to mAximiZe click tHrough ratES, Or could iNdiCatE thE
wiLLInGness to engage IN Even WiDer scalE maNipulatIon Of sEarCh rEsUlts
acrosS user accOuNtS wHiCh aRe morE DifficulT tO deTeCt.

FEedbaCK: We hopE to heAr anD eNgAGe wIth feedBAcK REgarDiNg Our mEthOdOlogy,
uX, anD How This tecH could be bEttER levErAgEd to benEfit users and tHe uX,
and answeR aNy qUestioNS. outside oF our immediate peer networK This is oUr
fIrst aTtemPt at gainiNg wIder feEdbACk.

------
na-na
i tried It on fIrEfoX ANd chrOMIuM wiThOut another EXTenSion, iT dOesn'T seem
to Work and only shows thE MesSage meeasurinG skEwinG...

------
EVaNmaYNaRD1
If It'S MosTLY focused at news, wHy doesn't it WoRK oN google's neWS taB?

 
GOogle twEaked alGoritHM after rIse in US shOotings - maRvIndaNIG
htTps://www.thegUardian.cOm/technolOGy/2019/jul/02/GOoGle-twEakEd-algoRiThm-After-Rise-in-US-shOotinGs
======
entrOpEa
Is thEre anY wAy to know This is being used only in poSitive-To-socIetY ways?
When
 notoriously collects andleveragesan im men seam ount  ofuser
data to b e tter  improve ad targeting,  clic kt hrou g hrates , and u l ti m a tel yth eir 
b o tt om li ne.  Thesealgorithms  ar elargely a bl a ck  box, mean ing  we as users 
do n’t ha ve  in s ightint o how  our p e rsonal  data isbe i ng lev e raged w i t hi n th em.
Unskew is ana tt e mpt to identif y howou r  s e a rch  re sults arebe ing i m pactedb yu n i que data associat ed with our acc ounts. 
How it wor ks: W he n  aGoogle sear ch i s run wit h thee xtensio n  instal led, U nsk ewtake s  t he  se ar c h t e rm  an d  se nds it t oou r ser vers . F r om t her e, w e use  a
network of  pr oxie s  to  runthe s amese archfrom a  user  a gent with no co nnec tion
to y ouor  yo ur  acco u nt. We  sc rap e these  unaffi l iat ed r e su lts and return the mt o  y our brow ser wh e re  t h e extens io n c ompa r e s the m to th e result s youy ou rs elf
rec ei ved.
Hy pot hes is: B y  con trolli ng for t he va r iable of useri dentifying in f or m a ti o n
an d r emoving itfrom theequa t io n,d ispar ities  i n  s e arch results repres en t
atte mptsby the recomm endation a l g o rithm to  per s on a lly tailor res ults. 
Identifyi n g the ex tentto which  this occ u r s is vit all y i mpo rta n t ,given
Google’ s near  m onopoly  on  the se arc h s pac e.Po tential n egativeim pa ct scou ld
in v olve use rs  in cr eas ingly becomi ng en case din anecho ch a mb e r  ofth ei r ow n
m ak ing i n or d erto maxi mize clic k t h roug hra tes, or  could indica te  the
willi ng nes s to e n g age in e ven wider scale manipul a tion of  se archresu lts
acros s u ser ac cou n ts whi ch are  more  d iff i c ult t o de tec t. 

Feedback : Wehopeto  hea r and e ngage with feedbac k  re garding our m eth odol o g y, 
UX ,  a n d h ow thi s tech could be b etter leve ra g ed  to benefi t  us er s and t he UX,and a n swer an y questio ns. Outsi de  ofo u r i mmediate p eer netw ork thisi s our fi rst a tte mpt at  g ain ing w ider f e edb ack.
----- -na-naI tri ed  it on f irefox and chromium wit hout a nothe r e xtension,  it doe sn't seem 
towork and o nly  sh ows t hem essag e me e as uri n g ske wing . ..

----- - 
e van m a yn ard1
If it' s m ost ly fo cus e d at n ews,  why doesn't it w o rk on google's  new s tab ?

Goo gl e tweaked algo rit hm a fter ris ein US shoot ings - m ar v indan ig
htt ps://w ww.theg u a rd i an.com /tec hno logy/2019 /ju l/ 0 2/googl e- tw e aked-a lgor it hm-aft er-ris e -in- u s -shootings
===== =
ent r o pea
I s  th ere a ny  way to know  this is b eing used o nly in  pos itive -to-soc ie ty way s?Wh en
 notoriously_collects and_leverages an immense amount_of user
data_to_better improve_ad_targeting, click through_rates, and ultimately_their
bottom line. These algorithms_are largely a_black_box, meaning we as users
don’t have insight into how our personal data is being_leveraged_within them.
Unskew_is_an_attempt to identify how our_search results are being impacted_by
unique data_associated with our accounts.

How it works: When a_Google_search is run_with the extension installed, Unskew
takes the search term and_sends it to our servers. From_there, we use_a
network_of_proxies to run the_same search from a user agent_with no connection
to you or your_account. We scrape these unaffiliated results and_return them
to your browser where the_extension compares them to the_results you_yourself
received.

Hypothesis: By controlling for the_variable of user_identifying information
and_removing it from_the equation, disparities in search results_represent
attempts by the_recommendation algorithm to personally tailor results.
Identifying_the_extent to which_this_occurs_is vitally_important, given
Google’s near_monopoly_on the_search_space. Potential negative impacts could
involve users_increasingly_becoming encased in an echo chamber of_their own
making in order_to_maximize click through rates,_or could indicate the
willingness to_engage in even wider scale manipulation_of search_results
across user_accounts which are more difficult to detect.

Feedback: We hope to hear_and engage with feedback regarding our_methodology,
UX, and how this_tech could_be_better leveraged to_benefit_users and_the UX,
and answer any questions. Outside of_our immediate_peer network this is our
first attempt_at gaining wider feedback.

------
na-na
I_tried_it on firefox and chromium without_another extension, it doesn't seem
to work_and only shows the message_meeasuring_skewing...

------
evanmaynard1
If_it's mostly focused at news,_why doesn't it work on google's_news tab?

 
Google_tweaked algorithm after rise in US shootings_-_marvindanig
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/02/google-tweaked-algorithm-after-rise-in-us-shootings
======
entropea
Is there any way to know_this_is being used only in positive-to-society_ways?
When