Shop Scroogled: Microsoft now selling Anti-Google merchandise
Back in 2003 the Google critic Daniel Brandt got concerned that Google was collecting personal information on its users. That’s when a new web service named Scroogle launched with the idea to allow users perform their Google searches privately by blocking all Google cookies and disable saving log files. The web interface was offered for browsers in order for users to search through Google anonymously. Obviously, Scroogle heavily violated Google’s terms of service, however Google showed an extreme case of tolerance and even whitelisted the site on multiple occasions. Later in 2012 Google announced that the separation between search result and advertising will be removed as only paid advertisers will be listed based on the advertisers’ bids and as a result Microsoft launched its campaign titled Scroogled. Microsoft’s concern was that costumers might be unaware that they’re looking at paid advertisements and the top results will be determined based on relevance no more. Furthermore, Google Buzz has Gmail users contact lists made public automatically unless opted out and later in 2013 it launched an advertising campaign against Google for scanning messages in Gmail. In Microsoft’s Anti-Google campaign we can see announcements like ‘ Is Google breaking wiretap laws when they read your Gmail?’ or ‘Don’t get Scroogel by Google’s Gmail’, and it even offers users a petition titled ‘Tell Google to Stop!’.
As violent and unfair this attack might seem, now Microsoft started overdoing things and decided to make money from the Anti- Google campaign. The only thing that we missed so far from the speculations and half-truths about Google is Microsoft marking it with anti- Google merchandize. Right now, the Microsoft Store offers a whole section of anti-Google goodies, including shirts, hats, hoodies and mugs. With price-range from $8 to $25, Microsoft is about to make profit for anti-advertising Google. So, if you are disgusted by Google stealing your data, go ahead and buy some goods. On the other hand, if you’re rather disappointed by Microsoft’s move and you think it’s wrong, feel free to facepalm. Either way, we’re really interested in finding out what you think about all of this. Who’s right and who’s wrong? Do Google deserve this or Microsoft is hitting low? Please, share your opinion with us in the comment section.
