I've been following it. Google's reaction, thus far, is what I would expect from any company caught with their hands in the cookie jar-- a little mea-culpa while at the same time already trying to soften the consequences. Unless Google makes extraordinary efforts to make things right in this case, I think their 'don't be evil' sentiment is truly dead.
The problem is that Google is on it, in the same way that any of the companies they're supposed to be 'better' than would deal about it. A little quick mea culpa and a promise to look into it, in order to make sure they get in front of / cut off negative PR.
The most fascinating BS claim in business is the 'rogue 3rd party vendor'. It's used to cover up any number of evil practices, and this is no exception. Plus as the updated post says, Google guards who gets a Google network / IP fairly closely, from what I'm told.
It's far more plausible in the 3rd world than it would be in North America. But, yes, the fact that those Mountain View IP addresses popped up is very unpleasant.
I find that when there exists in a company the chance for '3rd party vendors' to go rogue and off message, it's because the company structures those relationships so that it can happen... knowing it will happen.. and that they can then cut the vendor loose when it's discovered.
Let's also note, that this was a rogue 3rd-party, third world vendor... that was able to seamlessly transition operations from Kenya to India in less than 48 hours. If it was just the IP that switched it would be one thing, but they changed how they identified themselves, etc.
Between this, the Google + search results and other things, I think they should just switch their position to 'Don't be assholes'.
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(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-15 04:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-15 03:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-16 04:04 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-16 03:22 am (UTC)The most fascinating BS claim in business is the 'rogue 3rd party vendor'. It's used to cover up any number of evil practices, and this is no exception. Plus as the updated post says, Google guards who gets a Google network / IP fairly closely, from what I'm told.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-16 04:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-01-16 05:35 am (UTC)I find that when there exists in a company the chance for '3rd party vendors' to go rogue and off message, it's because the company structures those relationships so that it can happen... knowing it will happen.. and that they can then cut the vendor loose when it's discovered.
Let's also note, that this was a rogue 3rd-party, third world vendor... that was able to seamlessly transition operations from Kenya to India in less than 48 hours. If it was just the IP that switched it would be one thing, but they changed how they identified themselves, etc.
Between this, the Google + search results and other things, I think they should just switch their position to 'Don't be assholes'.