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Google threatens Australia
VK3DRB:
Is Google too big for its boots? They are so big, they can effectively threaten Australia's economy if we don't give them what they want. Their motto was "Do No Evil", but Google pays way below its fair share of taxes in the countries it operates in and abets a certain totalitarian regime by censoring searches. Now it wants to threaten sovereign countries unless their demands are met. Few people realise that Google can terminate GMAIL accounts any time they want for any reason at all. I use Google search a heck of a lot in my professional work, as well as privately. Maybe I should switch.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-22/google-stop-search-engine-australia-news-media-code/13079912
I guess if Google does embargo Australia, us Aussies can always use another search engine; else use a VPN. However this sort of power Google might have is a little alarming.
“We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”
― George Orwell, 1984
MK14:
I know there are probably laws against it anyway, in Australia.
But imagine if a company, owned all of Australias, Electricty generation, Gas, Petrol, Water and telephone plus mobile phone, services. The government wanted to increase business taxation. So, this company threatens to switch off, all the services I listed.
That would be unacceptable blackmail etc.
In modern times, services like internet search engines, are arguably, nearly as important as some of the services I mentioned. They also effectively have the ability to make certain websites disappear (from search results), for any reason that Google wants.
It is rumored Google recently shut off the official president of the United States of America (although it seems, they were probably right to do it), along with Twitter, Facebook and maybe others.
I.e. In the same way, one shouldn't be able to buy up all a countries water services, then threaten to shut them down, if a government does something they don't like.
A major (90%) Internet search engine, is sort of the same thing (but less vital to life).
This situation really needs to be sorted out. Possibly by splitting up Google, into a number of smaller, much less powerful companies.
EDIT:
Will they threaten to disable Youtube for all of Australia, as the next step ?
Maybe they have got too much power.
Also, Microsoft probably have too much power. What if they decided to disable Windows10 in Australia, via a secret Update ?
Could they knock out a huge number of peoples computers and servers, making Australia have to partly shut down ?
BravoV:
Don't forget, particularly at this Google fight vs countries, the US gov seems like to back Google too particularly in this matter, and not so much at say for example at France.
-> https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/google-says-it-will-remove-search-function-in-australia-if-media-code-becomes-law.html
"The United States government this week asked Australia to scrap the proposed laws, which have broad political support, and suggested Australia should pursue a voluntary code instead."
... vs here at France -> Google agrees to pay French publishers for news
I guess its easy, especially with the new Biden administration, just buy more F-35 jet fighters as prev. concession deal :P, your big boss can easily make this Google problem fades away. :-DD
MK14:
Another solution, is for Governments to get together, and promote/help other companies, be competitors to the big hi-tech players. Not an exhaustive list, but against companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Intel, Youtube (Google again), Microsoft, Instagram, and probably many others.
Any one of them, could cause quite significant problems on a whim.
GlennSprigg:
--- Quote from: BravoV on January 22, 2021, 12:09:04 pm ---Don't forget, particularly at this Google fight vs countries, the US gov seems like to back Google too particularly in this matter, and not so much at say for example at France.
-> https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/google-says-it-will-remove-search-function-in-australia-if-media-code-becomes-law.html
"The United States government this week asked Australia to scrap the proposed laws, which have broad political support, and suggested Australia should pursue a voluntary code instead."
... vs here at France -> Google agrees to pay French publishers for news
I guess its easy, especially with the new Biden administration, just buy more F-35 jet fighters as prev. concession deal :P, your big boss can easily make this Google problem fades away. :-DD
--- End quote ---
Yes 'Google' is powerful, but BULLIES at their level don't change a THING with those who stand up to them.
There are many alternatives to 'google' in the interim. Was going to list them, but can't be bothered!! 8)
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