Google gets political

Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 19th June 2007
Comments (14) Stumble
Google gets political

"Walk softly and carry a big search" - Google is stepping into the political arena on popular US politics.

Theodore Roosevelt, arguably one of the best US Presidents in history, once described his view on the art of diplomacy as "Walk softly and carry a big stick." Of course, over the years many people feel that policymakers have turned away from such soft-spoken tactics, opting instead for a lot of hot air and very little in the way of decision. Apparently, Google thinks it's time for a change, and moved its monstrous foot into the political arena on Monday.

Google came out with a bang, issuing a corporate statement that could be easily compared to a political manifesto: the US is too harsh on immigration policies, Internet privacy is being lost, children are not being protected from online predators in the right ways, and copyright protection has not carried forward with the times. These topics and others were covered in the company's statement, all tying into what Google says are issues "fundamental to the future of the Internet."

The California-based search giant didn't just stop at a rah-rah list of issues, though. The company has outlined some of what it thinks are the principle failings of each of these polices, and has vowed to start throwing its weight into the political arena. These points and others will be laid out in the company's upcoming public blog, which it hopes will be used as a reference point to catch politicians up to speed on the large effects of their decisions on issues affecting the Internet at large.

"Issues such as content regulation, reform of the patent system, and broadband policy are increasingly prominent on the agendas of policymakers worldwide," said Andrew McLaughlin, Director of Public Policy for Google. "We're seeking to do public policy advocacy in a Googley way. Yes, we're a multinational corporation that argues for our positions before officials, legislators, and opinion leaders. At the same time, we want our users to be part of the effort, to know what we're saying and why."

Google has also invited several US Senators and Congressmen to come talk face to face with the company at its headquarters, effectively being its own lobbyist for issues it feels are Internet related. Of course, it's also bringing politics to the Internet as well as Internet into politics - the company announced that the video site YouTube will be airing the Presidential Debate for 2008 alongside CNN.

All of this points to one very good thing and one very big question. Nothing done by Google goes without notice, and its weight in this arena will force the US Government to take a much larger look at net-affecting issues. This could be a great thing, but the one big question remains...Will Google use this power wisely?

Tell us your thoughts on whether Google is exercising a rare act of corporate conscience or is just throwing its weight around in our forums.
Quote DougEdey 19th June 2007, 08:29
At least they're sticking to their "Do no evil" especially with the vile child pornography thing with what happened over the weekend it wouldn't surprise me if Google came out one day and went to the police with evidence for 90% of currently circulating abuse and who did it.
Quote BioSniper 19th June 2007, 08:36
Quote:

Walk softly and carry a big gun.

Fixed :D
That or, I've played too much dawn of war :p

Anyway, It's nice to have people who are, kind of indirectly, giving us all a voice on the issues of internet freedom etc.
Quote airchie 19th June 2007, 09:40
Yeah, I like the fact that such a massive corporate entity is giving the online masses a voice on things that directly concern us.

As long as it does air our opinions and not its own. :/
Quote Hugo.B 19th June 2007, 10:14
Quote:
As long as it does air our opinions and not its own. :/
Couldn't say it better myself.


H.B.
Quote ralph.pickering 19th June 2007, 10:43
Besides, it seems most big corporations are hugely political... when it comes to their own interests - look at Disney, Microsoft, the RIAA, Oil companies etc. Only they don't come out and say to the public what they're saying to the politicians - they just make sure their lobbyists are well funded, and that friendly politicians get a few well deserved foreign holidays or whatever.
Quote DXR_13KE 19th June 2007, 11:42
"walk softly and carry a big stick" or in Charlie Brown "Speak Softly and Carry a Beagle"

OT: lets see what comes out of this.... hell these guys started as a small search engine and now look at them, almost ruling the world.
Quote g3n3tiX 19th June 2007, 11:46
The constantly growing power Google has on everyone (who in here DOESN'T use a search engine? ) is getting really scary...
they know what we search for, what we watch, what email we send, what we buy (google checkout) where we live/work/visit (maps).
Big brother, anyone ?
Quote bilbothebaggins 19th June 2007, 11:56
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph.pickering
Besides, it seems most big corporations are hugely political... ... Only they don't come out and say to the public ...
I'd agree. Google is a big (too big?) company. OC they will try to get their views into politics. That they make such a public announcement seems to be a good thing, no matter if I agree with what they are going to lobby for ...
Quote DXR_13KE 19th June 2007, 13:46
http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/inside_google/1.html
if only more jobs were like this...... :D
Quote ralph.pickering 19th June 2007, 13:51
Quote:
Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/inside_google/1.html
if only more jobs were like this...... :D

God! I want Google to rule the world.

My job sucks in comparison.
Quote thecrownles 19th June 2007, 16:51
Wasn't the quote "Speak softly and carry a big stick"?
Quote Kipman725 19th June 2007, 17:38
Quote:
Originally Posted by g3n3tiX
The constantly growing power Google has on everyone (who in here DOESN'T use a search engine? ) is getting really scary...
they know what we search for, what we watch, what email we send, what we buy (google checkout) where we live/work/visit (maps).
Big brother, anyone ?

It's only an issue if they have a record of misusing this data, so far I haven't seen any evidence of them misusing the data. Infact one the the reasons that there serch results are so good is harvested data. There adverts are so successful because they recognise what your looking at and they provide cool services like Google earth. Without Google we would all still have 10mb inboxen!

I dunno I just feel with all the nice things they have done they can be trusted with it better than anyone else :)
Quote wolff000 19th June 2007, 18:05
Blessing for the people or curse? It could go either way, Google seems to try and follow its do no evil motto. However politics can change things quickly. Only time will tell if this is a good, bad, or makes no difference.
Quote MrFusion 19th June 2007, 19:16
I know google says, do no evil, except that they censor the internet for China? How is it good that they say they want open and free internet to meet their interests, but aparently those interests are also censorship of the internet to a large portion of the world. That's kinda scary. They are arguing America is too harsh about immigration policy?? We practically have none, we deport few and let in THOUSANDS, illegally and legally. How can that continue without doing harm to our nation? We'll see what they do, but I always advocate caution when someone with ideas starts throwing money around, they may start out supporting what we like, but if it becomes what they think is their best interest, they may not support what we want, (i.e. China). So beware.
Quote Breach 19th June 2007, 19:22
I think since the last political figure called the internet a "series of tubes"...Ill take Google calling the shots any day when it comes to technology policies and laws. It sickens me that tech laws are put in place by people who know virtually nothing about the Internet or other technologies, or the people who do know.

It is known that the current heads of technology related organizations in government dont really know anything and should deffinatly not be the ones running the show.

Not so sure about their voice in other domestic issues and not tech related, but we will see.

I think since Google is so public any mistakes will show without mercy.
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