Google Not Entirely Open
April 27, 2012
Google consistently claims to be “open,” yet was recently revealed by competitor Yandex to be “semi-open.”
The Guardian reported, “Google Shutting out Rivals, Claims Russian Search Engine Yandex,” telling us about criticisms toward the Android platform and Chrome browser from Yandex chief technology officer Ilya Segalovich. Responding to comments by Google co-founder Sergey Brin that others are endangering the internet, Yandex contends that Google should explain its “semi-open” approach to search competitors.
In the article, Segalovich accuses Google of abusing its dominance to shut out competitors in the field. We learn:
“ Segalovich suggested Google was guilty of foul play with its Chrome browser, which he said made it difficult for users to choose rival search engines, including Yahoo, Bing and Yandex, over its own market-leading product. He said internet users were effectively coerced into using the Californian internet giant’s products over those offered by rivals.
‘Things are definitely going where more and more control is in the hands of platform providers. It’s interesting that it’s not only mobile, but it’s also about browsers,’ Segalovich said.”
Not so open, eh? Closed platforms such as the Chrome browser do not leave users with much choice and could damage other companies offering similar (and possibly better) alternatives.
Andrea Hayden, April 27, 2012
Sponsored by Ikanow
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