Google's Controversial Message Removal: A Strategy for Antitrust Defense
How Google's Internal Communication Practices Came Under Legal Examination
A report has surfaced detailing Google's internal strategies for dealing with antitrust scrutiny since 2008.
The New York Times outlined how Google instructed employees to delete messages and avoid using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a larger effort to reduce internal communication that could create legal issues.
Google's instant messaging tools were reportedly set to 'off the record' mode, causing messages to disappear after a day, a practice that Virginia's court flagged as potential evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google's retention policies involved marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and including lawyers in communications to protect information.
Judge James Donato criticized this approach, describing it as fostering a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Despite these practices, the volume of emails produced per Google employee surpassed that of similar companies.
Amid increasing legal pressure, Google has since changed its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google's chief lawyer, mentioned last year's changes towards preserving more communication data, including chats.
This shift marks a move away from their previous methods, likely driven by ongoing legal challenges.
The New York Times outlined how Google instructed employees to delete messages and avoid using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a larger effort to reduce internal communication that could create legal issues.
Google's instant messaging tools were reportedly set to 'off the record' mode, causing messages to disappear after a day, a practice that Virginia's court flagged as potential evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google's retention policies involved marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and including lawyers in communications to protect information.
Judge James Donato criticized this approach, describing it as fostering a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Despite these practices, the volume of emails produced per Google employee surpassed that of similar companies.
Amid increasing legal pressure, Google has since changed its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google's chief lawyer, mentioned last year's changes towards preserving more communication data, including chats.
This shift marks a move away from their previous methods, likely driven by ongoing legal challenges.
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