Google, CNet
In case you haven't heard, these two companies are having a bit of an argument.
It goes something like this:
- Some guy complained to Google that his personal information was easily accessible on Google, and he didn't like it.
- Google said, basically, tough beans.
- CNet writes an article about this, and as an example, uses Google to find personal information about Eric Schmidt.
- Google throws a temper tantrum, and says they won't speak to CNet for a year.
Google is, of course, within their right to do this. But the
problem I have with it is that it puts every other news organization on
notice: Say something Google doesn't like, and lose access to
Google's people. How can we trust what anyone says about Google
from now on?
What I think should happen is other news organizations should take this
more seriously, and commit to stop talking to Google's people until
Google backs down. That would be only fair.