Barack Obama in a ‘Googley way’
p2pnet news view Politics | Advertising:- Have the White House and the new US president Barack Obama been thoroughly Googled — and we’re not talking about searches?
Will they soon be doing things, “in a Googley way”?
Because, “Another inauguration took place in Washington this week,” says the Los Angeles Times.
Google, “officially became a political power player”.
“In October, Google was only hours from being sued by the Justice Department as a Web-search monopolist,” said the story.
Now, “less than three years after it made its first Washington hire, the Internet giant is poised to capitalize on its backing of President Obama and pursue its agenda in the nation’s capital.”
‘Google’s broadening reach’
Indian-American Sonal Shah, “an eminent economist who heads Google`s philanthropic arm, has been appointed an advisory board member by US President-elect Barack Obama to assist his team in smooth transition of power,” p2pnet quoted the Indian Express as saying shortly before the elections.
And, “Perhaps the biggest threat to Google`s increasing dominance of internet search and advertising is the rising fear, justified or not, that Google`s broadening reach is giving it unchecked power,” said WAToday.
Yesterday, “President Barack Obama`s new administration has granted a rare privilege to Do No Evil Google,” said p2pnet, quoting CNet News.
It`s, “quietly exempted YouTube from strict rules relating to the use of cookies on federal agency Web sites,” the story said, continuing »»»
The new White House Web site privacy policy promises that the site will not use long-term tracking cookies, complying with a decade-old rule prohibiting such user tracking by federal agencies.
However, the privacy policy then reveals that Obama`s legal team has exempted YouTube from this rule (YouTube videos are embedded at various places around the White House Web site).
While the White House might not be tracking visitors, the Google-owned video sharing site is free to use persistent cookies to track the browsing behavior of millions of visitors to Obama`s home in cyberspace.
No other company had been, “singled out and rewarded with such a waiver”.
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs
“The writing is on the wall,” p2pnet posted in 2007, going on »»»
And it`s truly frightening.
Google, accused of ongoing Net censorship along with other US majors such as Microsoft, Cisco and Yahoo, has decided the time is right for it to become a world political force.
Or should that be farce?
It`s launched what it`s calling the Google Public Policy blog, and it`s even flaunting an official it`s labelled Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs.
“We’re seeking to do public policy advocacy in a Googley way,” said McLaughlin.
Says the LA Times »»»
Obama’s campaign and administration have already embraced Google products. Video of his weekly address is available on YouTube. During the shift from the transition office to the White House, Obama’s press office staff created free e-mail accounts on Gmail until their government accounts were activated.
In November 2007, Obama unveiled his “innovation agenda” during a visit to Google’s Silicon Valley campus. And at an economic forum in Florida two weeks before the presidential election, Obama praised the company as “a cutting-edge innovator.”
On stage with him in Florida was Schmidt, who had publicly endorsed Obama days before (he said that the support was personal and that the company remained officially neutral). Schmidt also appeared in a 30-minute infomercial for Obama, and he was appointed to the Transition Economic Advisory Board after the election.
Earlier, “Google’s newfound political ties heighten concerns about its grip on the online advertising market,” says the story.
“The company could play better defense against strong competitors trying to curb its influence.”
Los Angeles Times – Google ready to pursue its agenda in Washington, January 22, 2009
p2pnet – Googler on Obama transition team, November 6, 2008
Indian Express – Indian-American Sonal Shah appointed Obama`s advisor, November 6, 2008
WAToday – Google`s browser labelled a `digital Trojan horse`, November 4, 2008
p2pnet – Google cookies are yummy, says White House, January 23, 2009
CNet News – White House exempts YouTube from privacy rules, January 22, 2009
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January 24th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
With the RIAA as vice president Obama is starting to look really scary.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
My Goodness! Do you mean to say that you think a governenment of the YooNitedStates of Amerika could be negatively influenced by the likes of Glogle? (insane cackling laughter)
January 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
check this out http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/01/obamas-quick-response