February 19, 2005

The New Google Toolbar: Just say NO!

In their quest for revenue, the new Google Toolbar permits them to join and embrace a tainted group of "enablers". A collection of individuals/Companies which lack any semblance of ethics and in some cases violate Federal and or state legislation.

The nuts and bolts

A few days ago the Premiere SE in the world and a publicly traded firm who espouses "Do no evil", released Beta 3 of their Toolbar. This Toolbar includes an "AutoLink" feature which effectively paints Google as the premiere "enabler" on planet earth. Google unilaterally enables the alteration of a third parties web site for monetary gain.

A more detailed description

"When Web surfers install the toolbar in their Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser and click the AutoLink button, Web pages with street addresses suddenly sprout links to Google's map service by default. Book publishers' ISBN numbers trigger links to Amazon.com, potentially luring shoppers away from competing book sellers such as BarnesandNoble.com. Vehicle ID licenses spawn links to Carfax.com, while package tracking numbers connect automatically to shippers' Web sites." Source: CNET News

Stand up and fight back

I suggest that you write Google along with all the major media authors and voice your objection to this deplorable behavior.

Here is an email which I have sent:

Hello xxxxx,
(Reference the article by name and URL)
(Insert a thank you and compliment)

The release of this Toolbar has permanently tarnished Google's image for the following reasons:

1. They are an "enabler". A legal principal which has already been litigated in the following areas: P2P, Gator/Claria/Kazaa, Spamware, and other seedy sectors. Google has joined a tainted group which lacks any semblance of ethics and in some cases violates Federal and or state legislation.

2. Call me "old fashioned" but I still expect the premier SE in the world, a publicly traded firm which preaches "do no evil", whose other statements and actions support and defend IP on the web, not to unilaterally enable the alteration of a third parties web site for monetary gain.

At a minimum, I consider the release of this Toolbar morally and ethically reprehensible.

(Close respectfully and insert your name and Web Site URL)

Continued with additional facts and comments in this article.

Posted by Steve_S at February 19, 2005 01:16 PM