If you're worried that Google is too big and controls too much of the Web, there's no comfort in today's news that Yahoo and Microsoft have teamed up in search. The already slim chance that the U.S. Justice Department will go after Google on antitrust grounds has dwindled to zero now that there is a "credible" rival in the market for search advertising.
I put "credible" in quotes because the 30 percent of the market held by MicroHoo isn't going to change much in the real world. But since it looks good on paper, the trustbusters (such as they are) would have a hard time making a compelling case for any sort of meaningful action.
[ For more Microsoft-Yahoo news on InfoWorld, see "Microsoft, Yahoo deal was a long time in the making" and "Microsoft and Yahoo are said to have reached a deal" ]
Remember, Microsoft's share of the operating system market was a good 90 percent when the DOJ launched its action back in the 1990s, and there was plenty of opposition in Washington to making a move. What's more, even though the case against Microsoft was very strong, it took forever to resolve and ultimately didn't make a huge difference. Since this would-be case is so much weaker, why would Attorney General Holder and his minions bother?
But there is a real effect on us all: With two giant companies (let's call the alliance MicroHoo) now sharing data on consumers, what little online privacy we had is going to be challenged even more. That will also affect IT, since so many organizations use Google's search appliances and software.
Google's management has great political antennae, and the opportunity to operate with little chance of interference will not be lost on it. In short, Google will be unleashed by this deal.
Bye-bye privacy
The big cigars (to use Gary Snyder's apt phrase) at MicroHoo know full well that the alliance will raise red-flag warnings about the increasing concentration of private data in corporate hands. Here's how they addressed it in the announcement:
The agreement protects consumer privacy by limiting the data shared between the companies to the minimum necessary to operate and improve the combined search platform, and restricts the use of search data shared between the companies.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »What are you talking about. Everyone's privacy is already compromised. And you didn't even have to get an Internet account for it to happen. So, stop blathering about something everyone is aware of and give us news we don't know.
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
308 Recommendations
1 reply