Observations
  • Home
  • Observations
  • Trendcasting
  • Odds 'n Ends
  • Science/Technology/Experiments
  • Mental Health

Search for Google's Secrets

9/22/2011

0 Comments

 
I really hope that everyone is aware that Google is a monopoly. With 75% of the search engine traffic on computers and 95% on smartphones, there should be no question. The question is not about how big and powerful they have become, but what are they doing to squash competition at the expense of the consumer. And, the answer is troubling to say the least. An additional question should also be not how good are the services that they offer, but how are they using data to generate income.
As soon as the word monopoly is mentioned, a collateral word comes to mind, and that word is antitrust. The laws governing monopolies were formulated in the early 20th century to curb the dominance of big oil, steel, and telephone companies. It was clear that when any company had most of the market, they could control prices and limit competition. In the case of Google, it was unclear at first how antitrust laws could be enforced on a free, net neutral internet. But the law is concerned with any company whose business resides in the United States and threatens free and competitive commerce. So, the Senate Antitrust Committee began hearings yesterday to investigate Google and its position on the use of  power and position. I watched most of the hearing on CSPAN and have come away with a great many serious questions.
The first sworn testimony began with Eric Schmidt, Chairman of Google. Unfortunately, it started off as a love fest for Google. Most of the senators began their remarks and questions with a dialog about how great it was for Google to be so successful and good at its search task. So much for hard hitting questions! And, when the questions were finally asked, Schmidt, as expected ducked and weaved his way out of an answer.. Like any politician, he learned how to dance before becoming and engineer. He couched his answers in vague generalities and a lot of leaning on the secret nature of the search engine. And when asked if the Google apps like Search, Maps,Gmail, and Places, etc. bundled in the Android and iPhone were at 100% he said "no, about 75%". Gee, that makes it all better.
But, the greatest problem that I saw, and see as a trend for subsequent investigations, was the use of the word proprietary. He leaned on this word several times suggesting that any real answers as to how Google works is in a protected secret and no one can get at the truth with the protection of intellectual property. I do believe that Congress will shakes some sticks and talk, but as to any protection for the consumer in the way of regulation or support for competitors  this will not happen. And in an ironic twist, consumer apathy and the "follow the lemmings" behavior helps Google. What a tangled WEB we weave...





0 Comments
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2021
    October 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    October 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Categories

    All
    Advertising 1895
    Applications
    Bulb Act
    Cgi
    China Concerns Again
    Cloud Computing
    Drones
    End
    Family Mediation
    Gas Prices
    Gesture Technology
    Google Antitrust
    Grocery Deception
    Heathkit
    Infolust
    Infrastructure Failure
    Mechanical Computer
    Medical Devices
    Medication Mistakes
    Mental Health
    Original Ideas
    Pc
    Politics Of Fear
    Post Office
    Recycled News
    Rushing To Judgement
    Salmonella
    Siri
    Social Media Business
    Sopa
    Stock Market
    Texting
    Trendcasting
    Urine
    Wireless
    World

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.