As if the title weren’t enough to tip you off, take a peak at some of the headlines that have gotten my attention today (don’t worry, this isn’t Linky Goodness or Pilgrim’s Picks, I’m still going to Congress Member Turns Up Heat On Google
Barton or someone in his office clearly does have an understanding of many Internet and online advertising technologies, since his questions include questions about anonymizing IP data and cookie data, resetting cookies and specifics about user information collection, storage, retention and access. Barton also quotes Google’s policies and asks for specific clarification and definitions of terms that Google uses. Finally, he asks if and how user data from DoubleClick, if approved, will be segregated from Google’s other user data.
It would be nice to have a detailed response from Google—and every other search engine, including Ask—to each of these concerns. However, based on Google retains its cached copy. A touch of irony for you there.)
Both Jones Day and DoubleClick maintain that the law firm is used only outside of the US. DoubleClick has even clarified to CNET that their domestic law firm is Simpson Thatcher.
Paranoia strikes deep; into your life it will creepBest of all, as CNET reminds us, the FTC hasn’t challenged a vertical merger in about thirty years.
Antitrust laws are basically designed to prevent monopolies. So a horizontal merger, like Google buying Yahoo (what that reference start the rumor mill!), receives a lot more scrutiny than a vertical merger, like Google buying DoubleClick, or any other company that’s not a competitor in its sector.
The bottom line: (Young people speaking their minds)I still don’t see what the FTC is waffling over. Yes, I see that the DoubleClick/Google merger is a potential privacy nightmare. But the FTC, while charged with protecting consumers, has decided to ignore those issues and look only at the competition problems. If that’s truly the case, then Google deserves the same approval that Microsoft and Yahoo have received. After all, we want them to be able to compete among themselves, don’t we?
The reality is, of course, that the only real reason the FTC hasn’t already approved the merger has got to be that they are worried about consumers’ privacy. Perhaps Google (who has complied with the FTC’s requests thus far) should consider publicly answering Rep. Barton’s questions to set the minds of Congress, the FTC and the rest of us at ease.
Found an error or have a suggestion? Let us know and we'll review it.
Suggest a Correction
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!