Read on Twitter
We haven't seen the final complaint yet, but as we understand it right now, the US Department of Justice today is saying in no uncertain terms that Google used, and continues to use, anti-competitive tactics to maintain its search monopoly. (Thread
) https://twitter.com/politico/status/1318546248694194179
) https://twitter.com/politico/status/1318546248694194179
We’re pleased the DOJ has taken this key step in holding Google accountable for the ways it has blocked competition, locked people into using its products, and achieved a market position so dominant they refuse to even talk about it out loud. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/technology/google-employees-antitrust.html
While Google’s anti-competitive practices hurt companies like us, the negative impact on society and democracy wrought by their surveillance business model is far worse. People should be able to opt out in one click. https://spreadprivacy.com/one-click-away/
The endless data collection and behavioral targeting originated by Google and forced onto the world through its search engine monopoly has led to discrimination, polarization, and the widespread false belief that getting privacy online is difficult. https://spreadprivacy.com/google-filter-bubble-study/
In study after study, people have made it clear what they want: privacy. 87% of Americans say "data privacy is a human right." 93% "would switch to a company that prioritizes data privacy if given the option." https://advisory.kpmg.us/content/dam/advisory/en/pdfs/2020/consumer-data-report-kpmg.pdf https://www.datocms-assets.com/16414/1597294492-transcenddataprivacyfeedbackloop-2020.pdf
Historians will hopefully look at today as the beginning of the end of the surveillance economy. But the only way that happens is through action that achieves meaningful results, and we are in support of such efforts by regulators across the globe.
The pent-up demand for alternatives to Google's surveillance business model is significant. Because of that, we believe the most effective and efficient remedies are ones that empower people easily pick the services they want to use. https://spreadprivacy.com/search-preference-menu-research/
So, instead of (another) decade-long policy debate, let’s keep it simple and effective. The public wants action now, so let's give people the power to bust Google’s core search monopoly themselves through a properly designed and implemented search preference menu.
