Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by Fnord666 on Monday May 21 2018, @12:42AM   Printer-friendly
from the ex-post-facto dept.

A number of soylentils have written in to let us know that Google is opening up the possibility of being evil by eliminating it from their code of conduct. You've been warned.

"Don't be Evil" Starting to Disappear From Google's Code of Conduct

Google Removes 'Don't Be Evil' Clause From Its Code of Conduct

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.

[...] 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!"

April 21 vs. May 4.

Related: Google vs Maven
Google Employees on Pentagon AI Algorithms: "Google Should Not be in the Business of War"
Google Duplex: an AI that Can Make Phone Calls on Your Behalf
About a Dozen Google Employees Have Resigned Over Project Maven

Google to eliminate the "don't be evil"

According to Gizmodo, Google will remove it's "Don't Be Evil" from its code of conduct.

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.

Based on TFA, I think I would venture a guess that the new WiFi password is "be evil" ?

Previously I wasn't confused. Google wasn't evil, because they said they weren't evil. And they wouldn't lie because they are not evil. I know they are not evil, because they say so, and they wouldn't lie about it.


Original Submission #1Original Submission #2

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by idiot_king on Monday May 21 2018, @01:05AM (5 children)

    by idiot_king (6587) on Monday May 21 2018, @01:05AM (#682002)

    I don't remember it ever actually being a part of their conduct, but maybe that's because I can remember things.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @01:11AM (3 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @01:11AM (#682006)

    Interesting I remember it very clearly. It was even part of their marketing to pick up talent in the industry. But *IF* you want to see for yourself there is always archive.org. Which shows it clearly. I would say your memory is at fault here. Sorry dude. Goto the Mandela effect board and report it :)

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @01:17AM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 21 2018, @01:17AM (#682007)

      OP said "conduct", not "code of conduct". Reading comprehension is a good life skill.

    • (Score: 4, Touché) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday May 21 2018, @01:22AM

      "Don't be evil" while running around all over The Googleplex.

      That suggests to me that google has _always_ been evil, and that this optimistic chap was trying to do something about it.

      --
      Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday May 21 2018, @01:43PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday May 21 2018, @01:43PM (#682156) Journal

    I can remember things too. The best things. Back when things were simple. You could trust Google. Because Google wasn't evil. You could be assured Google wasn't evil because Google said they weren't evil. Google wouldn't lie about not being evil because they are not evil, and lying would make them not be "not evil".

    --
    People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.