In: Operations Management
1. Consider Google’s influence on society, understanding, education, and perception. When Google delivers the majority of search results and most users default first to Google’s products, do you feel that gives a single firm too much power? Do you think governments have a role in regulating a firm with this amount of influence? Why or why not?
Google does have a lot of power as the most used search engine. Products of Google like You tube are used widely throughout the world. There are many ways through which Google uses its power. Mobiles with android OS come pre-installed with many Google products. There is little choice for the end user, if he wants to uninstall a particular Google product. In addition, Google has immense data about each person who uses its products. This data is used to gain advertising revenue. Not many people are aware about how to remove their personal data from Google. Using the private data of people to target them with advertisements is a clear breach of privacy.
People must have a say in what private data Google can use regarding their lives. But, right now because of the power it yields, Google is using the private data of people recklessly so as to gain on advertising revenues. Google almost acts as a monopoly in the search engine space.
Governments do have a great role to play in regulating companies like Google and Facebook. There are many reasons for this. These days, a lot of fake news is being circulated especially through these sites. Such news has the capability of creating huge negative impacts in the society.
Further on sites like You tube: nudity, violence and fake news are shown in recommended videos even when a person is not signed in. This affects people especially children negatively.
In addition, there are no clear mechanisms to validate anything that is circulated on the web through sites like Google and Facebook. So, there is a great need for the governments to regulate internet giants like Google and Facebook, which have huge influence on general population.