Google ‘gives cash for favourable research’

Edinburgh University is among a number of academic institutions that received funding from Google for research which is favourable to the technology giant, a public interest watchdog has claimed.

Researchbytheus-based watchdog Campaign for Accountability (CFA) said the firm handed scholars – including some in the UK – cash to produce academic papers in support of Google’s policy positions.

But the technology giant has refuted the claims, describing the report as misleading because it includes any work supported by any organisation to which Google has ever donated money.

A spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh said: “Researching with industry partners is commonplace … We do not accept funding that is dependent on any preagreed research outcome.”