MPs accuse Amazon of broadcasting antisemitic content through Alexa
‘We will be contacting the police,’ APPG Against Antisemitism warns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Several MPs have accused Amazon of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories through its Alexa digital assistant.
In a letter to Amazon’s UK chief, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Against Antisemitism called for immediate action to be taken on a number of Alexa responses that they claimed to have uncovered.
“Answers to enquiries provided by these services are presented as authoritative and factual, and so carry credibility, with many considering them truthful,” alleged the letter, which was signed by signed by MPs Andrew Percy, Catherine McKinnell and Dr Lisa Cameron.
“We were appalled, therefore, to find that the ‘Alexa’ voice service offers messages from antisemitic websites and conspiracy theories, using selective quotes and misleading sources in answer to a number of questions about Jewish people, the Holocaust and antisemitism.”
The letter cited five examples of Alexa quoting questionable sources or not providing sufficient context to answers.
In answer to the question, “Do Jews control the media?”, the MPs claimed Alexa responded by referencing the controversial website Jew Watch, which is known for promoting Holocaust denial.
“Here’s something I found from the article ‘Jew Watch’ on Wikipedia: Jew Watch claims that Jews control the world’s financial systems and media,” Alexa reportedly stated.
The MPs called for Amazon to explain how it plans to “address the propagation and promotion of antisemitism” in the medium and long term.
They also warned that the matter had been raised with the Home Secretary.
“We will be contacting the police, so that they might take a view on any breaches of communications or racial incitement legislation,” the letter stated.
Amazon told The Independent it had already blocked the responses reported.
“Anti-Semitism and discrimination of any kind is unacceptable,” a spokesperson said. “Alexa pulls from a variety of sources to respond to questions—we are investigating this.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments