Google apologized on Wednesday after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pictures appeared in image search results for "Top 10 Criminals."
"These results trouble us and are not reflective of the opinions of Google. Sometimes, the way images are described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries. We apologise for any confusion or misunderstanding this has caused. We're continually working to improve our algorithms to prevent unexpected results like this," the U.S.-based search giant said in a statement, according to The Hindu.
The issue immediately became viral on Twitter and other social media websites, as hashtag #top10criminal has become one of top trends, Business Standard reported.
Besides the Indian Prime Minister, former U.S. president George W Bush, Indian-American gay couple Shannon and Seema, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan are featured in the top 10 criminals list. The search results yielded a list that included Osama Bin Laden, American gangster Alphonse Gabriel 'Al' Capone, mafia don Dawood Ibrahim, Jihadist Hafiz Sayeed and others.
The search results also led to a huge furore in India's political circles. Even some of Modi's vocal critics express displeasure over the Google image search results, according to News Nation.
"I am not a great admirer of Modi but to find his name and photo among top 10 criminals in India on Google Search is shocking!," opposition leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted. "Team Modi how did you allow this? Or it has been done by frustrated elements turned Rogue of Team Modi? As an Indian to find my PM's name in the top 10 criminals list is a matter of National Shame. I hang my head in utter shame. I certainly do protest though there may be an element of truth in this."
Modi, leader of a Hindu nationalist party, was the chief minister of Gujarat province in 2002 when at least 1800 Muslims were killed in riots.
