Alphabet Inc.’s Google is on trial in Washington DC over US allegations that it illegally maintained a monopoly in the online search business. Executives of the Mountain View, California-based behemoth have known for years that the company’s practices are under a microscope, and have encouraged its employees to avoid creating lasting records of potential problematic conduct, government lawyers allege.
Googlers often communicate with one another internally using the company’s Google Chat product. Under a policy called “Communicate with Care,” the Justice Department asserts, Googlers receive training that instructs them to have sensitive conversations over chat with history off — meaning the conversation is auto-deleted after 24 hours.
[…]As far back as 2003, Google managers circulated unambiguous instructions on phrases to avoid to ensure they don’t come across like monopolists.
It’s one thing that we all innately understand Google to be an abusive monopolist – it’s another thing to actually legally prove it. Antitrust hasn’t exactly been the strong suit of the US government as of late, so I’m hoping this one will turn out different than some of the other halfhearted attempts over the past few decades.
We need some honest-to-god trust-busting or Bell cutters.
If only they could rename themselves to “Microsoft”, then they could almost do whatever they want. Sure, Microsoft gets a light spanking every now and then, but they are use to it and it no longer bothers them.
Have to admit, on one side “yes, this is very different than the Google I know”, but on the other “yes, I can see them moving in this direction”.
Don’t get me wrong, communicating with care is always important, as opposing counsels in lawsuits will always fish for phrases that can be taken out of context. Even if you say something jokingly, when it is the headline in New York Times, it no longer matters.
There was for example this joke about Pope… and.,.. I will stop right here before anyone takes it out of context.
(Back to topic: this could be handled much better. Google used to be “open” or rather I would say “lighthearted” where engineers would speak up freely and challenge even the CEO on open forums, but then “corp speak” took over).