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Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

nytimes.com

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Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#3
> “There are simply fewer groups that are available to speak up about Google’s activities that threaten online privacy,” Mr. Rotenberg said. “The groups that should be speaking up aren’t.”

Google has been doing strange things for a long time and despite that there actually are a good amount of groups speaking out against them, they stick to their guns and oust or bribe anyone in their way. The first time ever they've stumbled on a worthy opponent is when they started getting sanctioned by the EU.

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#4
> “We are in the process of trying to expand our relationship with Google on some absolutely key points,” Ms. Slaughter wrote in an email to Mr. Lynn, urging him to “just THINK about how you are imperiling funding for others.”

That was a real kicker for me. This seems like pretty blatant corporate censorship. Unfortunately, it's hard to make the public care about a situation like this that's so out of view.

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#5
Obligatory Taleb comment:

"Think tanks are natural lobbies w/a facade of "research" Their cover allows them to censor dissent from monoculture"

https://twitter.com/nntaleb/status/902859415375798274

OT: I'm curious how many hours will this post survive on the front page

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#6
post #5

Obligatory Taleb comment: "Think tanks are natural lobbies w/a facade of "research" Their cover allows them to censor dissent from monoculture" https://twitter.com/nntaleb/status/902859415375798274 OT: I'm curious how many hours will this post survive on the front page

We might have to make sure the upvotes are stronger than the downvotes :)

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#8
post #2

Hmm, so leftist ideas are OK to be supported, except when they are applied to the said corporation. Fun. :)

Left and right ideas are just stepping stones to profit.

After all, the 'left-leaning' Google sure isn't pushing for unions, only for what will benefit them.

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#9
It's early so not sure I'm reading this correctly, but it appears Google funded a group, then one of the members posted a statement applauding the recent 2.7 billion dollar fine against Google and that member was subsequently removed from the group?

Well duh!

Criticize Google all you like. But does anyone really think companies have an obligation to fund their critics? Or that groups receiving such funding have an obligation to retain critics?

Re: Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant

#10
post #9

It's early so not sure I'm reading this correctly, but it appears Google funded a group, then one of the members posted a statement applauding the recent 2.7 billion dollar fine against Google and that member was subsequently removed from the group? Well duh! Criticize Google all you like. But does anyone really think companies have an obligation to fund their critics? Or that groups receiving such funding have an ob…

then don't pretend you are a think tank. you are a pr firm, paid to say whatever benefits your clients.
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