[Revised entry by Herman Tavani and Michael Zimmer on March 12, 2025.
Changes to: Main text, Bibliography]
Search engines shape our understanding of the world by controlling what information we see and how we access it. As gatekeepers of knowledge, search engines make decisions – often without transparency – about what information is shown, prioritized, or excluded, which can perpetuate biases, reinforce misinformation, and affect user privacy and autonomy. Thinking about the ethical implications – and moral accountability – of search engines helps ensure they serve society fairly, transparently, and…