Google says CIA thing is untrue
John Battelle did the homework and learned that Google’s official statement is that the CIA story is untrue.
If you worked at a big company how would you fight rumors or stories like these? After all, it all started with someone saying something that can’t be verified as true or false. We don’t know the guy’s reasoning to start this story off. Maybe he is shorting Google stock. We don’t know. But we do love a juicy rumor. After working inside a big company I tend to believe the big company more than the rumor mongers, but I do realize that most people won’t take Google’s word on a story like this. So, not sure that Google or any big company really can do much to kill rumors like these.
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November 2nd, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Of course we hope it’s untrue. Why would we want an American company or citizen to help the American government protect us from terrorists?
Google, without a doubt the most evil corporation of our time has to choose here between the greater evil. To give out customer information that hasn’t been paid for or to protect terrorists. Since Google isn’t on the side of America, and does want to make money, of course they won’t turn over anything to the government. There’s no monetary advantage in it, unless of course, you count the chance to live to do business another day.
Morons.
November 2nd, 2006 at 4:48 pm
You trust the CIA to do the right thing with data?
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Well, yeah, ah. Officially there’s no connection. Officially. But let me ask you this, squire. When was the last time you heard of anybody working with the CIA. O-fficially that is. Nudge nudge.
A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind man, eh?
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Anyhoot, Scobles works for the CIA !!
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:11 pm
I dont see where exactly Google has said this is untrue. John’s blog quotes Google as saying this?
So at this point its more of ‘John’s Word about Google’s word’.
(Or is it there in the comments section?)
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:19 pm
blogger: John’s word is good enough for me. Anyway, if he gets it wrong Google knows where I live and can call me anytime. My cell number is on my blog. :-)
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:31 pm
AHA. But how do we know you are “Robert Scoble.” You could be a NSA/CIA construct.
Then again *I* could be a construct too.
To Mr. Nudge Nudge. I am making No Such Allegations.
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Bob Morris: just ask Maryam. Of course she was born in Tehran, so we know we shouldn’t trust her, right? Right? Wink wink.
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Robert - I take your word on John’s word on Google’s word
BTW, Do you really expect Google to call you and tell “John’s wrong. we are Friends with CIA” if thats the case?
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Blogger: nah, but if John says he talked with someone from Google PR and got an official answer and he didn’t, there’d be other repercussions for him. So, I believe him cause he has skin in this game.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:24 pm
Guys, the official answer from Google was the first several words in Battelle’s story at http://battellemedia.com/archives/003051.php
“The statements related to Google are completely untrue.”
That’s the official word from Google: a flat denial.
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:34 pm
It’s great that you published the story and the denial in the same way. Something that the traditional media never does :-(
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Fact 1
It is common knowledge that terrorists use the relative anonymity of internet services to carry out their misguided, evil plans.
Fact 2
The world would be a better place if that can be foiled.
Jay, from Bangalore
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:14 pm
@13. But see, in Scoble’s world the terrorist should be told WHEN, WHERE, and WHAT we are looking for and then HOW we are doing it, because transparency is much more important than rooting out terrorism.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:22 am
Maryam must be a deep cover mole. Post the kissy kissy pictures of you and Maryam again for analysis.LOL
“Star Wars”? I am sure Ronnie’s boys were at your wedding nod nod wink wink.
You should still keep her you commi-bachelor.
She is a class act.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:44 am
Some more facts…
Fact 3
I sure hate my mails being read by snoopy sleuths
Fact 4
I hate the possibility of someone tossing a bomb in the vicinity of my child even more.
Fact 5
Given a choice,I’ll rather have someone mess around with my mail!
November 3rd, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Fact 6
Given a choice, you’d choose to have less choice.
November 3rd, 2006 at 4:29 pm
http://www.miraesoft.com/karel/2006/11/03/google-denies-being-in-bed-with-cia-but-really-is/
November 4th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
FWIW, I was at an Open Source Intelligence conference last January put on by Robert Steele, and there were some allegations made that Google has some Intelligence Community affiliations.