Big Tech, Politics, and the Problem of Invisible Bias
We live in a world where our first instinct, when faced with a question, is to “Google it.” That means a handful of powerful tech companies shape not only what we know but also how we think about political leaders. And here’s the problem: the results we see aren’t neutral. They reflect choices made by algorithms — choices that can quietly elevate some politicians while softening or hiding problems attached to them.
Take Donald Trump as an example. Search results often emphasize his rallies, press releases, or campaign talking points — content polished and amplified to his advantage. Meanwhile, deeper reporting on his lawsuits, bankruptcies, or policy failures sometimes takes a back seat. With Joe Biden, we didn’t see this same pattern of insulation. Criticism and controversy surfaced far more quickly in search results. That uneven exposure raises hard questions: why do certain flaws stick to one politician while others seem buried in the digital dust?
To be clear, this isn’t about demanding that search engines “take sides.” It’s about demanding transparency. If algorithms are the new gatekeepers of democracy, we deserve to know how they rank and filter information. Otherwise, subtle biases — intentional or not — shape public opinion without accountability.
This matters because what doesn’t appear on page one of a search might as well not exist. If the public only sees what is convenient or flattering to power, we risk walking into elections with curated half-truths. And if tech giants won’t explain their methods, suspicion is inevitable — from the left and the right.
No company, no matter how innovative, should have this much unchecked influence over democracy. Whether you lean conservative or progressive, you should want the same thing: sunlight on the systems that decide what information we get to see.
Google, and others in Big Tech, owe us that much!
Test this yourself!
In a Google browser search “Trump dementia”
Then Search “Biden dementia”
I use several different browsers and it seems Google is really “Team Trump”
Julie Bolejack, MBA
