How Certain Strategic Decisions Making Can Cost You More than Just a Fine.

Google Has Done It Again, and There is No Stoopping it! It Jus Won't Stop!

Esteemed colleagues, today I stand before you with a heavy heart and a burning sense of betrayal. The institution we once revered, Google, has committed an egregious violation of our trust, and it is time for us, as decision-makers, to take a stand.

For years, we have been led to believe that Google was a bastion of innovation, a champion of privacy, and a trustworthy steward of our data. However, recent revelations have shattered this illusion, exposing a disturbing truth: Google has been systematically collecting and storing our most sensitive data, even when we used the "Incognito" mode, under the guise of privacy.

Let me paint you a picture of the magnitude of this deception. According to a class-action settlement, Google has agreed to delete a staggering 150 trillion data points collected from users who believed they were browsing privately. That's right, 150 trillion data points – a number so vast, it defies comprehension. This is not a mere oversight or a technical glitch; this is a calculated and deliberate violation of our trust.

Now, I question the leadership prowess of Alphabet Inc. CEO and all he made us believe in since he began his tenure. This goes beyond the CEO alone; their board members as well show their level of integrity in letting this go on for such a long time.

But the consequences of Google's actions go far beyond the breach of trust. It strikes at the very core of our fundamental right to privacy – a right that should be sacrosanct in the digital age. By collecting our data without our consent, Google has effectively commoditized our most intimate thoughts, our browsing habits, and our personal preferences, treating them as mere assets to be exploited for their own gain.

And let's not forget the financial implications of this settlement. While Google has agreed to pay a fine of $85 million, a mere slap on the wrist for a company of their stature, the true cost extends far beyond monetary penalties. It is a cost measured in the erosion of consumer confidence, the tarnishing of their reputation, and the potential loss of market share as users seek alternatives that respect their privacy.

Let me go even deeper and show you that this is not a once off incident, but it has been going on doe years and I believe that these fines don't do anything. I want my share of the profits they made with those data points and government got theirs through the fine, but I want mine. Google, I want my share of those profits and I am demanding them from you.

Make no mistake, my esteemed colleagues; this is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a larger malaise that has taken root in the tech industry – a culture of data exploitation and disregard for user privacy. We have witnessed similar transgressions from other tech giants, each time met with tepid fines and hollow promises of reform.

Google has faced several instances where they have been accused of violating user privacy and mishandling user data over the years. Here are a few notable examples:

The Incognito/Private Browsing Data Collection Case (2022-2023):

This is the most recent case. Google agreed to delete over 150 trillion data points collected from users who thought they were browsing privately using Incognito mode in Chrome. They paid $85 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over this issue. I did not see a cent of that money, but I am a Google User. So, US Government and certain people got their share but where is the share for other nation governments or people whose data was stolen to make up this 150 trillion data points? Those 150 trillion data points are not from the US alone.

• Where is the justice for the ordinary google user, where is his 'cut'?
• Who used the data points?
• If a company bought these data points, is it not also liable?
• Where products developed and improved with these data points such as Gemini Pro?

The Street View Wi-Fi Sniffing Case (2010-2011):

Google admitted that their Street View cars had been collecting data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks while taking photographs for years. This included emails, passwords, and other private information. They paid a $7 million fine to settle allegations of violating privacy laws.

The Safari Browser Tracking Case (2011-2014):

Google was fined $22.5 million by the FTC for bypassing the privacy settings of Apple's Safari browser to track users and serve them advertising cookies without their consent.

The Gmail Privacy Case (2013-2019):

Google faced lawsuits alleging that their automated scanning of email content in Gmail accounts violated wiretapping and privacy laws. The cases were eventually dismissed after years of litigation.

The YouTube Data Collection Case (2018-2022):

YouTube was accused of illegally collecting personal information from children without parental consent through YouTube's child-targeted videos. Google agreed to pay $170 million to settle allegations of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. This just shows how much they have zero shame as an institution. Prying on children.

These are just some of the higher profile cases where Google has come under scrutiny for privacy violations over the past decade or so. The company has paid hundreds of millions in fines, but critics argue the penalties are relatively small for a tech giant of Google's size and don't provide enough deterrence against future violations.

But we, as decision-makers, have a responsibility to our stakeholders, our employees, and our society to take a stand against such practices. We must demand accountability, transparency, and a fundamental shift in the way these tech behemoths approach user data and privacy.

It is time for us to lead by example, to implement rigorous data protection protocols, and to foster a culture of trust and respect for our customers' privacy. We must be proactive in our approach, not reactive to the next scandal or settlement.

Furthermore, we must use our collective influence to advocate for stronger data protection laws and stricter enforcement measures. The current system of fines and slaps on the wrist has proven woefully inadequate in deterring these egregious violations. We must demand that our legislators take action, to ensure that companies like Google face real consequences for their actions, consequences that go beyond financial penalties and extend to personal accountability for those responsible.

My esteemed colleagues, the path forward is clear. We must take a stand against the exploitation of our data and the erosion of our privacy. We must demand accountability, transparency, and a fundamental shift in the way these tech giants operate. We must lead by example, fostering a culture of trust and respect for our customers' privacy.

Only then can we restore faith in the institutions we once revered and ensure that the digital age remains a realm of innovation and progress, not one of exploitation and deceit.

The choice is ours. Will we sit idly by and allow these transgressions to continue, or will we rise to the occasion and be the catalysts for change? The future of our digital world hangs in the balance, and it is up to us, as decision-makers, to chart the course towards a more ethical, transparent, and privacy-conscious future.