In a confidential memo sent out in late 2008, Google executives warned employees to be cautious about what they wrote in internal communications to avoid potential legal issues. This memo marked the beginning of a 15-year campaign by Google to make deletion the default in its internal communications, even as the tech giant stored massive amounts of information globally.
The memo instructed employees to refrain from speculation, sarcasm, and commenting on hot topics without all the facts. The company also made changes to its instant messaging tool to ensure that incautious phrases would be wiped the next day. This distrustful culture was developed through the use of legal privilege as a shield, imposing technology restraints, and repeatedly warning employees about the consequences of loose talk.
This information was revealed through three antitrust trials against Google over the last year, where plaintiffs were trying to establish monopoly behavior. They combed through emails, memos, and instant messages from hundreds of Google engineers and executives to gather evidence. Google’s efforts to minimize its internal communications contrasted with its mission to organize the world’s information, highlighting the lengths the company went to in order to protect itself legally.
This revelation sheds light on the complex relationship between tech giants and internal communication practices, showing how even the most successful corporations like Google must navigate privacy concerns and legal risks.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com
 "Did Your Favorite Make the Final Selection?")
