IBM Methods Are Alive and Well: Google Goes with Lock In for Search in Africa
March 25, 2015
I assume the information in “Facebook and Google Are Locking In African Customers with Freebie Deals” is accurate. Let me be upfront. I don’t worry too much about Facebook. Folks using that service make a decision to post information, build friend lists, and do other social functions.
Search is different. A person enters a query and assumes, maybe believes, that the results are objective, accurate, and related to the query itself. I am not sure this utopia exists or that most users, even with graduate degrees, can figure out the difference between information, disinformation, misinformation, or reformation of information.I know it takes considerable work. To see the depth of the problem, run a query for the seemingly innocuous phrase “concept searching.” Check out the results. Nifty, eh?
The article states:
Both companies [Facebook and Google] are rolling out programs in some African countries that give people free internet access—but the complimentary access is contingent on people using their services. Their large-scale world-connectivity projects are tailored to ensure that Facebook and Google become the go-to on-ramps for accessing Internet.
Is the objective market control for the purpose of generating revenue?
The story explains:
It’s hard for companies to compete with Facebook and Google in the US; in Africa, where these tech giants will have a huge leg up on local competitors, it will be even harder. By establishing themselves as home bases for the internet, Facebook and Google are elbowing control over the online experiences of a continent away from would-be domestic entrepreneurs and local startups.
Perhaps Facebook and Google will merge, sort of a Kraft and Heinz type deal. That will provide even more freebies to the markets in Africa, right? Is this article getting close to explaining how a Belgium-type deal was such a plus for the Congo? Absolutely not. The parallels are specious. Neither Facebook or Google is a monarchy. Neither Facebook or Google are interested in natural resources? Neither Facebook or Google wishes to prevent others from serving the markets in Africa.
This is just great marketing for those with a dog in the fight, especially advertisers.
Stephen E Arnold, March 25, 2015
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