Google's Controversial Deletion of Messages: A Strategy for Antitrust Defense
How Legal Scrutiny Targeted Google's Internal Communication Policies
A report has surfaced detailing Google's internal tactics for addressing antitrust scrutiny, with roots going back to 2008.
According to The New York Times, Google instructed employees to destroy messages and refrain from using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a broader effort to reduce internal communication that might pose legal risks.
Google's instant messaging tools were reportedly set to 'off the record' mode, deleting messages after a day, a practice noted by Virginia's court as possible evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google's document retention strategies included marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and involving lawyers in communications to protect information.
This approach was criticized by Judge James Donato, who characterized it as a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Nevertheless, Google's email output per employee was higher than that of similar companies.
Amid increasing legal pressures, Google has since modified its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google's chief lawyer, mentioned last year that changes had been made to preserve more communication data, including chats.
This shift marks a departure from their previous methods, likely influenced by ongoing legal challenges.
According to The New York Times, Google instructed employees to destroy messages and refrain from using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a broader effort to reduce internal communication that might pose legal risks.
Google's instant messaging tools were reportedly set to 'off the record' mode, deleting messages after a day, a practice noted by Virginia's court as possible evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google's document retention strategies included marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and involving lawyers in communications to protect information.
This approach was criticized by Judge James Donato, who characterized it as a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Nevertheless, Google's email output per employee was higher than that of similar companies.
Amid increasing legal pressures, Google has since modified its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google's chief lawyer, mentioned last year that changes had been made to preserve more communication data, including chats.
This shift marks a departure from their previous methods, likely influenced by ongoing legal challenges.
