One of Google’s mantras since Day 1 has been “Don’t be evil.” People have generally applauded this unique (albeit vague) corporate philosophy, as a refreshing new way of approaching business. It goes a long way into showing the rest of the world what the mindset is within the Googleplex.
But, ah yes, when you bring up “evil” you inevitably invite a philosophical discussion. Starting broadly, what is “evil”? For that matter, what is “good” (for if there is an evil, there must be an opposite, right?)? We’ll spare you the pondering and just point out why we’re posting today:
Google has murdered the AdSense account run by one of the web’s most influential anti-Scientology sites.
Yesterday, the search giant cut off all ads served to Enturbulation, a fledgling site dedicated to promoting activism against the Church of Scientology and all its related organizations.
The above quote is a grab from an article that is appearing in The Register, out of the United Kingdom.
Enturbulation is considered to be something of a “home” for the now infamous Anonymous movement, which attacks Scientology. While it would be fun to play tin-foil hat and start coming up with some sinister plot involving L. Ron Hubbard controlling Google, a more sensible explanation can be found in Google’s new AdSense policies which state that partner sites may not include “advocacy against any individual, group, or organization.”
It’s an interesting move by Google, and one that is similar to actions by YouTube (which Google also owns) last month. In that instance, YouTube (easily the most popular video site on the Internet) deleted an account run by Mark Bunker, a well-known TV journalist and anti-Scientology activist. YouTube’s official line is that it destroyed Bunker’s video channel because he had a previous account suspended for violations of site policy.
So, is Google run by Scientology? Definitely not. But the search giant is taking a stand against online defamation and internet harassment.
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