Google Inc (GOOG): Is It About Transparency, or Street Cred?

We find ourselves a little skeptical about whether this is about transparency and not about Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and its damaged reputation. On the one hand, Google is trying to fight tooth and nail to protect user data, which it collects in massive amounts and much of it without express consent. Take its Street View, for example, as the company paid out some fines for breaching people’s privacy while its mapping cameras traveled about in certain European and U.S. cities. On the other hand, Google has no issue with its reputation due to its own ability to compile data – but it has a problem with giving away that data to other entities. It reminds us of “knowledge is power;” and if you give away too much knowledge, you lose power. Just some food for thought.

What do you think? Is Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) pursuing this simply for the benefit of consumers and users of Google’s various properties, or do you think this is a matter of damage control for the company? Is it a combination? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: None