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ChaCha apologizing for 'inflammatory' answers

 IBJ Staff
February 9, 2012
Keywords
ChaCha, Manufacturing & Technology, Scott Jones, Tech Companies, Tech Executives, Technology
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Carmel-based ChaCha Search Inc., a question-and-answer service for mobile phone and online users, is apologizing for providing what it calls "inflammatory answers to questions asked about sensitive subjects."

The company issued a public apology Thursday after a report by online publication Gizmodo said ChaCha provided pro-life, racist and insensitive answers to some questions.    

"It was recently brought to our attention that ChaCha provided inflammatory answers to questions asked about sensitive subjects," the company said in a prepared statement. "We sincerely apologize for this incident. We are taking this issue seriously and are making every effort to provide answers which comply with our company policies."

The service relies on about 180,000 paid and unpaid "guides" to answer any question that a user might send in. Those guides typically tap a database to help them provide answers but sometimes answer the questions on their own.

"ChaCha is currently reviewing our database of nearly 2 billion questions and answers we have provided," the company said ."We are correcting answers which do not comply with our policies. In addition to cleansing our existing answers, we are implementing tighter policies and procedures. We are training all of our guides, support teams, and quality control teams to ensure the highest level of quality of our answers."

ChaCha was founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Scott Jones.

 

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  • Inappropriate Twitter chatter too
    AmyFebruary 13, 2012 11:42 AM
    I recently called ChaCha out for their inappropriate and sexually suggestive tweets. I've also had difficulty getting correct answers from them. Buh-bye to ChaCha.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Frustrated as well
    Frustrated as wellFebruary 11, 2012 9:00 PM
    I have never been able to get an accurate answer from Chacha on the first try. It is also extremely slow. Not sure why anyone would use this over other faster more accurate search engines
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Did you read something different?
    ChrisFebruary 11, 2012 2:19 PM
    Diogenes, the company did not call "pro-life" statements inflammatory. The IBJ article used the words "pro life."

    All, the company did, is what it should do which is apologize profusely for offending people with a program that offered statements that support an infamous apartheid proponent, Dr. Verwoerd, suggest that sometimes rape is justified, and quote Biblical text to people, not looking for it.

    If this is what you think is "insanity" then more companies need to behave insanely.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Pro-Life is Inflammatory? Really?
    DiogenesFebruary 10, 2012 7:18 PM
    You lost me there, Scott. The company statement in this regard is, to me, inflammatory and insensitive, and it stakes out a political position. An unwise business decision at best. Insanity at worst.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • IPO
      EstaFebruary 10, 2012 2:34 PM
      Not to worry, they soon will have lost enough money and have enough consecutive years of losses to go public.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Gave up!
      M. GageFebruary 10, 2012 2:15 PM
      I gave up on ChaCha after the creator of the software and engine was let go.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Not helpful
      lizFebruary 10, 2012 1:39 PM
      I gave up on ChaCha after trying it a few times and never getting a single helpful or relevant answer.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • What?
      DarthFebruary 10, 2012 1:21 PM
      Did the article just equate "pro-life" answers with "racist" answers? I can understand that Cha-Cha does not want to take a side in the "pro-life / pro-choice" public debate but the sentence in the article could have been better written
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • ChaCha
      EstaFebruary 10, 2012 10:45 AM
      I believe they are a company trying to make the internet more labor intensive.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Never heard of Cha Cha
      ReveFebruary 10, 2012 9:39 AM
      Who, or what, are they?
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
      • flawed concept
        Kevin FFebruary 10, 2012 9:09 AM
        The one time I used Cha Cha was to ask the score of an "Indianapolis Indians game" and was told the "Cleveland Indians did not play" that night. After repeated clarifications explaining different cities, different leagues but same name etc., the responder still didn't get and I finally turned to a local TV station website. I'll stick with Google.
        Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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