PR Problem

You have a PR problem when the White House comes after you. Just ask Google. Trump accuses the company of biasing the news in its search engine. Google has responded and denied that its algorithms are bent. Given the credibility of the current occupant of the White House, one would side with Google. That, however, doesn’t change the seriousness of the allegation. Google’s search engine and business is under pressure from all sides. The company has upset its own employees by deciding to work with China’s censors in developing and offering a search engine there. The EU has come after the company for monopoly power. Because it is big, it is a target. The company needs continued good PR and strong lobbyists. Chances are it will work through the latest accusations without having to change, but it means more work on top of all that it is doing already.