Google's Contentious Message Deletion: A Strategy for Antitrust Defense
How Legal Scrutiny Challenged Google's Internal Communication Policies
A report has surfaced outlining Google’s internal strategies for dealing with antitrust scrutiny, dating back to 2008.
The New York Times described how Google instructed employees to delete messages and avoid using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a larger effort to reduce internal conversations that could present legal risks.
Reports indicate that Google’s instant messaging tools were set to 'off the record' mode, making messages disappear after a day—an approach flagged by Virginia’s court as potential evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google’s retention policies involved marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and including lawyers in communications to protect information.
Judge James Donato criticized this approach as a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Despite these practices, Google’s email production per employee surpassed that of similar companies.
With increasing legal pressure, Google has since revised its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google’s chief lawyer, noted changes last year toward preserving more communication data, including chats.
This change indicates a shift from their previous practices, likely influenced by ongoing litigation challenges.
The New York Times described how Google instructed employees to delete messages and avoid using speculative or sarcastic language.
This was part of a larger effort to reduce internal conversations that could present legal risks.
Reports indicate that Google’s instant messaging tools were set to 'off the record' mode, making messages disappear after a day—an approach flagged by Virginia’s court as potential evidence destruction.
Antitrust trial testimonies revealed that Google’s retention policies involved marking documents as 'attorney-client privileged' and including lawyers in communications to protect information.
Judge James Donato criticized this approach as a 'systemic culture of suppression.' Despite these practices, Google’s email production per employee surpassed that of similar companies.
With increasing legal pressure, Google has since revised its data retention policies.
Kent Walker, Google’s chief lawyer, noted changes last year toward preserving more communication data, including chats.
This change indicates a shift from their previous practices, likely influenced by ongoing litigation challenges.
