Posted on 05/19/2018 5:56:50 PM PDT by dayglored
Google’s unofficial motto has long been the simple phrase “don’t be evil.” But that’s over, according to the code of conduct that Google distributes to its employees. The phrase was removed sometime in late April or early May, archives hosted by the Wayback Machine show.
“Don’t be evil” has been part of the company’s corporate code of conduct since 2000. When Google was reorganized under a new parent company, Alphabet, in 2015, Alphabet assumed a slightly adjusted version of the motto, “do the right thing.” However, Google retained its original “don’t be evil” language until the past several weeks. The phrase has been deeply incorporated into Google’s company culture—so much so that a version of the phrase has served as the wifi password on the shuttles that Google uses to ferry its employees to its Mountain View headquarters, sources told Gizmodo.
Here’s the relevant section of the old code of conduct, as archived by the Wayback Machine on April 21, 2018:
“Don’t be evil.” Googlers generally apply those words to how we serve our users. But “Don’t be evil” is much more than that. Yes, it’s about providing our users unbiased access to information, focusing on their needs and giving them the best products and services that we can. But it’s also about doing the right thing more generally – following the law, acting honorably, and treating co-workers with courtesy and respect.And here’s the updated version, first archived by the Wayback Machine on May 4, 2018:The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put “Don’t be evil” into practice. It’s built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct. We set the bar that high for practical as well as aspirational reasons: Our commitment to the highest standards helps us hire great people, build great products, and attract loyal users. Trust and mutual respect among employees and users are the foundation of our success, and they are something we need to earn every day.
So please do read the Code, and follow both its spirit and letter, always bearing in mind that each of us has a personal responsibility to incorporate, and to encourage other Googlers to incorporate, the principles of the Code into our work. And if you have a question or ever think that one of your fellow Googlers or the company as a whole may be falling short of our commitment, don’t be silent. We want – and need – to hear from you.
The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put Google’s values into practice. It’s built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct. We set the bar that high for practical as well as aspirational reasons: Our commitment to the highest standards helps us hire great people, build great products, and attract loyal users. Respect for our users, for the opportunity, and for each other are foundational to our success, and are something we need to support every day.Despite this significant change, Google’s code of conduct says it has not been updated since April 5, 2018.So please do read the Code and Google’s values, and follow both in spirit and letter, always bearing in mind that each of us has a personal responsibility to incorporate, and to encourage other Googlers to incorporate, the principles of the Code and values into our work. And if you have a question or ever think that one of your fellow Googlers or the company as a whole may be falling short of our commitment, don’t be silent. We want – and need – to hear from you.
The updated version of Google’s code of conduct still retains one reference to the company’s unofficial motto—the final line of the document is still: “And remember… don’t be evil, and if you see something that you think isn’t right – speak up!”
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3639564/posts
Google's 'Don't be evil' code of conduct no longer applies
wnd.com ^ | 3/14/2018 | Patty Ann Malley
But that one isn't about any official change in the motto; it was still "Don't Be Evil" when that thread was posted.
Good and evil are relative terms to the morally confused.
I don’t know why, but this does strike me as funny...
I dislike Google intensely, though I must use it and the Google apps for work, so the “Don’t be Evil” thing contains a significant amount of irony for me.
“Evil” in Silicon Valley would start with wearing a MAGA hat.
That’s like Wil Wheaton saying don’t be a dick even though he is a dick
Google - Evil to the very marrow of its corporate bones.
At least they are not saying: “Do the left thing.”
sounds like code for “Just do it”...
/s
Some truth to that, although admission of evil is a bit of a conundrum. It’s too Christian. Remember, those terrorists are not evil—they just need a job.
the gloves are off
“Don’t be evil...just a regressive, Left wing, America hating, Trump bashing, elitist douchebag.”
Like as “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” which is even uncritically espoused by atheists, “don’t be evil” presupposes as foundational moral standard that establishes just what is evil vs. good, (and thus what one should have others do unto them).
“These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth....Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.” (Deuteronomy 12:1,8)
Insomuch as when men call evil good, and good, evil (as defined by Scripture), then ““don’t be evil” means to do evil.
Kind of like malware computer code.
LOL at all the stupid liberals that thought Google was going to be the model of the “good company”.
I think, to Googoe, don’t be evil, means, don’t be a patriotic American, Trump supporter.
A little misleading:
They did not remove “Don’t be evil”
They just removed “Don’t”.
*PING*
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