This column is archived at: https://aardvark.co.nz/daily/2018/0525.shtml
It seems that Google knew exactly what it was doing when it struck the infamous "Don't be evil" motto from its code of conduct.
Now, having deleted this directive, it appears that Google is embracing the nasty culture of corporatism with passion and saying "to hell with ethics, morals and the law -- we want profit!".
How hypocritical is it that Google has effectively destroyed the livelihoods of countless YouTubers by deleting their channels on potentially trumped-up or false copyright strikes -- while it now shows utter contempt for copyright law by stealing the intellectual property of someone without any hint of compensation?
Can we expect to see more of this total disregard for honesty and ethics from Alphabet and its myriad of underling companies?
Is there any way we can mitigate this nastiness? Or is Google now simply too large, too ubiquitous and to crucial to the entire internet infrastructure?