Netflix manipulated search results amid controversy over Cuties movie, report says

Netflix reportedly used its algorithm to cover a French film from some search ends in 2020. Amid backlash over the advertising and marketing of a film referred to as Cuties, the streaming big suppressed the movie on its platform, The Verge reported on Wednesday, citing internal Netflix documents. 

Cuties is a French movie that was meant to critique the sexualization of younger women. Netflix’s advertising and marketing, which confirmed younger women, scantily clad, drew criticism, and a few critics felt the movie itself exploited the identical sort of sexualization it was presupposed to critique.

Netflix reportedly stored Cuties off its coming quickly and fashionable searches classes, excluded it from searches for “cute,” and likewise made positive searches for Cuties wouldn’t additionally pull up “steamy/sexual titles” or children motion pictures. 

“Our suggestions assist members discover nice titles to look at amidst all the alternatives on Netflix. Not each title will get promoted in the identical approach, simply as each member’s homepage is completely different,” a Netflix spokesperson stated in a press release. 

The report comes as Netflix is coping with fallout over comedian Dave Chappelle‘s newest particular, The Nearer, by which he makes jokes about trans individuals. Netflix’s preliminary protection of The Nearer led workers to plan a walkout. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos finally stated he “screwed up” defending the particular.

CNET’s Joan E. Solsman contributed to this report.