‘Don’t be Evil’

Google states “don’t be evil” as their company moto in their investor relations code of conduct. This principle should apply to their employees and users. Not only is Google taking a stab at other like companies with this statement, but it’s really setting the bar for their acts at a very high level. But are they really measuring up to their own claims?

Ok, let’s talk about China.

Amnesty International has stated that Google (among other Search Engines) censors search results to aid the Chinese government with the country’s censorship regulations. Don’t get me wrong, I think everyone can tell that is just the company following the law of the country (whether or not we as Westerners agree with this law is a whole other debate…) , but where is your line guys? You’re saying ‘don’t do evil’ and that you are ‘ A different kind of Company’ in your corporate philosophy, but you’re doing exactly what your competitors are doing, which makes you the exact same kind of company, as well as a coward by not standing to your own ethical boundaries.

I’m not arguing about the Chinese political issue of censoring, (even though I am totally against it like most people), what I am saying to Google is don’t lie to us. If you are uncomfortable with the rules and regulations that the Chinese government allows you to operate within, then hold to your principles and decide not to do business there. Don’t tell us about your high moral and ethical business practices and then tell us that the Chinese government is making you perform you business in uncomfortable ways. You could have always told them NO which would have earned you some respect among your peers and users.

Come on guys! Don’t let outsiders tell you where to draw you line of ethics and then tell us how ‘different’ you are. Give your users and stakeholders some credit.