Google has been one of the most loved tech companies for a long, long time. This is because Google has been instrumental in our lives and has been quite open in a lot of ways. Now, however, Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin is of the opinion that the internet freedom which allowed the creation of Google, is under threat and is being stifled by the likes of Facebook and Apple.
Facebook doesn’t let Google access multitudes of data that could greatly enhance the web search of Google. That stands as a thorn in the relationship of the two companies. Apple, on the other hand, has its closed iOS platform through which Apple has risen to be the wealthiest company in the world. Google’s Android, naturally, is a rival, hence the rather unpleasant relationship between Google and Apple.
So well, there is a financial stake involved when Brin criticizes either Facebook or Apple. Nonetheless, some of the things he says are quite true. According to him, ‘You have to play by their rules, which are really restrictive. The kind of environment that we developed Google in, the reason that we were able to develop a search engine, is the web was so open. Once you get too many rules that will stifle innovation.’
His words carry weight. The internet has increasingly become restricted and closed. And that is because tech companies have realized such a model would be financially beneficial. Brin also refers to government’s consistent attempts at controlling the internet, which were manifest in the PIPA and SOPA bills. The entertainment industry is also hounding after piracy, thanks to its insatiable appetite.
Brin naturally also commented on Facebook and said that Facebook has made it difficult to switch to other social network, an indirect reference to Google+ of course. As it is, Google’s social network hasn’t been a success and Brin’s words are justly caustic, at least from Google’s end. But is Facebook really to be blamed on this?
[ttjad]
