PETALING JAYA: Google no longer displays the currency exchange widget involving the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) in its search results page following two incidents where it displayed inaccurate conversion rates.
However, the feature has not been eliminated, but requires a little workaround to access. To gain entry, search the exchange rate of currency pairings that do not include the ringgit – for example, USD to JPY (Japanese Yen) – which will display the familiar price history widget.
Now, manually select the ringgit from the currency list dropdown menu, which will also give you historical data.
The incidents, the first of which occurred on Feb 6, showed the USD-MYR rate erroneously spiking to 6.2390, while the conversion on March 16 had it jump to 4.98.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) highlighted both incidents, and on March 18 Google issued an apology for the error.
The search engine giant stated that it contacted its third-party provider for exchange rate information to correct the issue.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We immediately contacted the third party that provides USD-MYR exchange rate information to correct the error.
“The issue has now been resolved, and we apologise for any confusion caused,” the search engine giant wrote via its X (formerly Twitter) page.
Google further wrote that the exchange rates it provides are for informational purposes only and point users to official sources such as BNM when making financial decisions.
LifestyleTech has reached out to Google for comments.