“Don’t Be Evil”: Google Censors Incriminating Planned Parenthood Videos

Remember when Google used to be that friendly, lovable startup?

The cuddly logo is reminiscent of childhood crayons, punctuated with an excited exclamation point (now removed).

I still remember the first time I used Google, nearly 10 years ago.  Whenever Google would launch a new product/service, I would be an immediate early adopter and fervent zealot to convert the masses.  They were the perfect remedy to the evil Microsoft monolithic empire that had dominated everything for years.

And the very best part?  Google’s official motto: “Don’t be evil.”

However, this lovable nature of Google has caused it to grow aggressively.  Very aggressively.  And the more influence, control, and power that Google garners, the more the lines of “evil” have become blurred.

For example, in order for Google to compete in China, it has bowed to the communist government to censor search results, and not allow terms such as “democracy” to display proper organic results.  The Chinese people will see only what the Chinese government wants them to see.  And Google, with all of of its clout, rather than fighting for Chinese freedom, has instead pledged its allegiance to the almighty dollar.

The other day, I read this headline:  “YouTube Removes New Undercover Student Video of Planned Parenthood without Explanation”

YouTube, of course, is owned by Google.  Read these excerpts from the article:

Without offering any specific explanation, the video-sharing site YouTube [owned by Google] has removed a new video by the student group “Live Action” that shows dishonest counseling practices at Planned Parenthood. The video first plays undercover footage of a Planned Parenthood counselor from Tucson, AZ telling a patient that images of aborted fetuses “are not real” and then shows photographs of a completed abortion and documentation of their authenticity.

Lila Rose, 20-year-old president of Live Action, calls on YouTube to re-instate the video in accordance with its own guidelines: “Since the video we posted does not violate any terms of use, we expect YouTube to re-instate it immediately.” [...] YouTube has removed videos posted by Live Action without explanation before, including videos showing Planned Parenthood employees caught on tape sympathizing with donors with racist agendas to encourage the abortion of black babies. [...]

The most recent video [...] documents abusive practices in Planned Parenthood clinics across the nation. Footage released to date has caught on hidden camera six Planned Parenthood clinics in three states ignoring their mandatory reporting responsibilities for statutory rape and protecting adult-child sexual relationships. Recently the Tennessee State Legislature used undercover footage from Live Action to help divert nearly $1 million in taxpayer subsidies from Planned Parenthood clinics, and in California, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to end a nearly $300,000 contract with the abortion provider.

And Google is censoring these videos?  “Don’t be evil”?

I used to like Google.  But the China stuff, the corporate (financial) opposition to the California Proposition 8, the huge privacy concerns, and now this, have all gradually shifted my perspective on this once-lovable company.

Now, Google is coming under scrutiny for crossing the line into becoming an anti-competitive monopoly—exactly like Microsoft of yesteryear.  And Google’s response, as of just days ago?  NYT: “Google Makes a Case That It Isn’t So Big.”

Not so big?  Give me a break.

So much for not being evil.  It’s probably time for Google to amend it’s motto.

In the meantime, maybe I’ll switch to Microsoft’s Bing.  (How’s that for ironic.)