Google is not an "advertising agency", that is a specific thing. What they are is a mainly ad supported medium which is what most internet services are, same as TV/Radio/Newspapers/Mags etc.
Airing out philosophical and theoretical disagreements with the ad model is merely a rationalization after the fact in this situation.
Is it a Google specific issue though? I mean there is a policy users could read, they have the dashboard, transparency reports, bug trackers, forums, blog posts, the works, probably more than anyone else offers.
Also there are the many articles the keep popping up about Google with various motivations behind them, I think "people" are more "aware" than you give them credit for.
Also don't you think that data is/are a major part of the functionality of these products? they operate on data, data collection isn't a side effect but it's built into the utility of such services almost by definition.
What's with these endless bouts of Google-hate on HN? seemingly if there isn't anything going on at the moment someone would readily whip something out from the archives just to keep the Google-bashing going and they will be generously rewarded with karma.
This is political posturing and grandstanding on steroids, whoever bought the EU parliament (evidently Germany publishers) did a good job.
They can’t “break up” Google, it’s an American company! it’s not based there.
Also the previous competition chief ridiculed such notions when he was recently asked about it by Parliament citing the utility companies (German ones) that would be first in line for a breakup debate if that was a tool they wanted to use:
The decision to reopen settlement talks followed vigorous criticism from a widening range of politicians, including the economy ministers of France and Germany. The latter, Sigmar Gabriel, argued in May that a forced breakup of Google should be seriously considered because of its vast market power.
Werner Langen, a European lawmaker representing German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party, echoed that suggestion, drawing parallels with U.S. efforts to break up monopolies in oil and other industries. "If we don't give them a bash we're not going to solve the problem," he said.
Mr. Almunia showed little sympathy for such demands. "I would tell you one thing, as a German friend," he said. "The day I [hear] that the railways will accept unbundling, electricity companies will accept unbundling, and we will discuss [unbundling] with telecom operators and others…let's discuss unbundling Google, but not before.
The fact that they are drafting a motion targeting one company is so shamelessly political it’s almost a public display of corruption.
Not to mention that the ludicrous levels of attention and weigh this issue is getting in the EU is unheard of and unwarranted:
One technology industry source with knowledge of the motion also called it a "politically-motivated campaign to do something that is a regulatory matter". He added: "These guys are calling for the break-up of Google. That is not in proportion to the degree of concern articulated by the commission during its investigation.
Airing out philosophical and theoretical disagreements with the ad model is merely a rationalization after the fact in this situation.