In a confidential memo sent to employees, Google executives stressed the importance of careful communication, warning that loose talk could lead to serious legal repercussions. They encouraged restraint and urged employees to avoid speculation or sarcasm, creating an internal culture that prioritized deletion and caution over open dialogue.
The shift in policy was evident as Google altered settings on its messaging platforms to make conversations off the record, ensuring that anything potentially incriminating would be automatically wiped the next day. This move was a key step in a long-term strategy to mitigate risk and protect the company from scrutiny.
Over the years, Google's approach to internal communications has dramatically tilted toward caution, emphasizing legal privilege and self-imposed restrictions. The company continually reminded employees that loose lips could threaten even the most successful corporation, embedding a culture of distrust amid its vast infrastructure of information.
As antitrust trials unfolded, thousands of internal communications became scrutinized, with plaintiffs like Epic Games and the Department of Justice seeking evidence of monopolistic practices. This scrutiny revealed how deeply ingrained and pragmatic Google’s aversion to risk had become, influencing its corporate culture and employee interactions.
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