A Google Freedom of Information Act
2004 could be a big year for Internet search giant Google. Its IPO will be one of the biggest crossover business, technology and social news stories of the year. The launch of its Gmail service could put the company in the forefront of web-based email services while creating a major new revenue stream. Its pervasiveness among users (“to Google”) and advertisers alike could make Google a likely candidate to join those lofty iconic, market-defining brands like Kleenex, Xerox, Coke, and Rollerblade.
Or not.
Instead, Google’s business practices could put it in a different category of American companies altogether, firms with names like Enron, WorldCom, Tyco and Adelphia. No, Google has not broken the law, but for many of its fans and followers has done something even worse. Google has violated its own corporate creed of “Don’t Be Evil.”
In arbitrarily and dramatically limiting its readers’ access to opinion speech on the Internet, Google has demonstrated a disturbing lack of social responsibility. It’s not too late, though, for Google to do the right thing. To restore its reputation and return to its users’ good graces, Google will need to take some dramatic and very public steps. Let’s call it a “Google Freedom of Information Act"...
Continue reading "Don't Be Evil: A Google Freedom of Information Act"...
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