There is an old saying, "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck"...
Well, if only Google was duck, as in DuckDuckGo, I wouldn't be writing this article. Google executives apparently like to quote the unofficial motto fo the company, "Don't Be Evil", but unfortunately that is exactly what they are and have been.
Though I rarely agree with anything that happens in Europe, the Europeon Union's antitrust fine of 4.34 billion euros made me stand up and applaud! The entire reason Google stole the Android operating system is to cement it's dominance of the search engine world and the unholy bond of unethical schemes surrounding it. Now finally they are gaining negative publicity from it. They received a less publicized 2.7 billion dollar fine last year in the E.U.'s court over the way they unfairly favor their own services in search results.
Google has been give too much power. They play a decisive role in determining what most people buy, read, and use online. POWER TEND TO CORRUPT, AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. Unfortunately great companies, like great men, are almost inherently bad.
What has Google done specifically related to this current conviction:
- Required manufacturers to install the Google search app and chrome browser in order to license the Google Play Store.
- Made payments to large manufacturers and mobile network operators to ensure they exclusively pre-install the Google search app on their devices.
- Has prevented manufacturers from pre-installing Google apps on smart devices running an alternative version of Android that were not approved by Google.
Google has very skillfully developed an unarguably amazing search engine. They have then used that to track everything you do online. What do you like? What do you buy? Where do you buy it? Can Google sell you these things instead? Can Google charge companies to lead you to them?
They have skillfully manipulated people to allow them access to every aspect of your private lives. Through Google Apps, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Voice, G+... They want access to everything, so they can use it for their own purposes or sell it to the highest bidder. From your private conversations, love notes, family photos... They want it all, and most are just giving it to them.
I have long thought something was not right about Google. They may be extremely effective and skilled at making money, but the way they are doing it is a huge danger to everyone. They are the 1984 that George Orwell warned us about. If you have not read this book, read it now! I am sure your library has it for free, until they are taken over by Google.
Privacy is a very precious thing people. I know some will read this and think I am paranoid and perhaps I am. You may do yourself well by examining whether it is paranoia or just accurately looking at what is going on and seeing the direction it has been headed.
The people of Oakland have seen the future Google wants and is so far getting. Read about the Google Military Surveillance Complex. If it to does not worry you see the direction all of this is headed, than I sincerely hope you are in the minority.
Do not get sucked in and confused by the supposed good that Google claims to do, like their R&D of:
- cancer research in radiation, asbestos, heavy metals, and tobacco
- alternative energy sources (versus oil & nuclear energy)
- organic foods
- vegetarianism and natural healing
- ban on vivisection (painful animal testing)
- ban of child labor through new youth protection laws
- individual student teaching (aka Waldorf education)
- created a 'cable network' for radios (1st version of the Internet)
- created an environmental forestry program of 869,300 employees
- created the freeway infrastructure
- commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to build an economical, low maintenance car for the common man.
Oh wait, my bad, those were Adolf Hitler initiatives. Just because someone, or some company, outwardly shows you how much good they are doing, does not mean they are good.
Those reading this on Steemit, I hope, are a little more concerned with privacy, since they are using blockchain based social networking.
Been using DuckDuckGo and trying my best to avoid Google for years now, hope more people will catch on.
PS: Please use less footers...
I hope so as well. And thank you, I see the footers are getting ridiculous as I edited and removed some.
@mrunderstood, If it happens I believe it would be the amazing place to live. Google is very smart in terms of using technologies.
no offense, but I sincerely hope you are in the minority on that. Everyone is entitled to an opinion though, and I thank you for sharing yours.
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