Google helps states with public records

Posted May 1st 2007 4:41PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Good news, Internet, Competitive Strategy, Google (GOOG), Marketing and Advertising

I'm not quite sure what to make of Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) these days. After making headlines with its acquisition of DoubleClick and the surrounding antitrust and privacy concerns, Google is back in the press in a favorable light, this time by providing free software and consulting services to help state government make public records more accessible to their citizens.

Even this move is raising privacy concerns, but I think they're overblown. Critics say that the plan will give people greater access to personal information. But here's the thing -- It's already part of the public record. Google is just making it easier for people to access information.

It's easy to question Google's motives here -- Is this just a marketing ploy to gain favorable press? I don't think so. I believe that Google's founders have a legitimate commitment to making information more widely available.

Tags: Public Records, PublicRecords, States