OK we’ve all heard the story about the Google Street View cars “accidentally” collection personal info from open WiFi signals. I know that this is a family friendly blog but I have to call BS on this. Google doesn’t do anything with data “accidentally”. Google saying that this was accidental is like saying that Kraft accidentally sold macaroni and cheese.

First they lie and deny that the cars were even collecting the data and then they come clean when they realize that they have been caught. That makes this even worse. Now they are getting on the same level in my eye as Apple and that is pretty low. I’ve been openly critical of Google for their lack of concern for privacy and even went so far as to try and “degoogleize” my life (although I have sense started using more of their services). Now I’m starting to get more and more disenchanted with them b/c of this type of stuff. The quote by Eric Schmidt a few months ago about privacy not mattering was bad enough and now they are stooping to openly lying until they have to “fess up”.

Look, there are no perfect people or companies but come on act like an adult. Wait, act like a mature adult. If you are doing something that others may not agree with and it gets exposed (as it most always will) then just be grown up about it and admit it. I assure you that people will respect you more for it. That is one of the problems that I have with Apple. They have a history of dishonesty when dealing with vulnerabilities and such. If they would just admit it and move on then I probably would not have “de-appled” my life.

So here is my advice to Google and everyone else. If you get caught in something just fess up and admit it. Don’t try to hide it, spin it, deny it or hope if will go away. It won’t. People will remember how you act and respond. Remember Character does count and it does impact your business.