Sunday, February 27, 2005

Google Toolbar



Dan Gillmor had lunch with the nice people at Google and raised his concerns about Google's new auto link.

I had lunch yesterday with several Google folks including Marissa Mayer, the company's director of consumer Web products, to discuss the new Google Toolbar, which is now in beta.

Like several other people, I have raised serious questions about this product's new "AutoLink" tool. It strikes me as an intrusion into people's browsers by a company that commands great market share.

She listened to my concerns. And she explained Google's stance -- nothing new there, and it amounts to "this is all for the users' benefit" defense. I am not convinced, however, that Google will end up doing the right thing in the end.

It would appear that Google is hoping to ride out the storm on this one, so lets make a bigger storm, email them today press@google.com.

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