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Comment by arthulia | Hacker News Reader

Google officially dropped the "Don't be Evil" motto a while back and picked up Alphabet's "Do the Right Thing" motto, which seems a lot more subjective.

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Alphabet code of conduct: https://abc.xyz/investor/other/code-of-conduct.html

"Employees of Alphabet and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates (“Alphabet”) should do the right thing – follow the law, act honorably, and treat each other with respect."

"If you are employed by a subsidiary or controlled affiliate of Alphabet, please comply with your employer’s code of conduct."

Google code of conduct: https://abc.xyz/investor/other/google-code-of-conduct.html

"Don't be evil."

But wouldn't that technically apply to only those working at Google, not the other Alphabet companies? Not that it really matters, both are utterly without meaning. I was just using it to show how their corporate personality has changed over the years.

That's a really silly way of doing it then. Besides, "do the right thing" is more restrictive than just "don't be evil"

"Do the right thing" for whom? Making money is definitely doing the right thing... for Google's bottom line.

"Don't be evil" to whom? Making money is definitely not evil...for Google's bottom line.

This is a silly game. Proof by corporate motto.

That's Amazon's strategy, where half of the leadership principles contradict the other half so there is always a way you can spin something.

"Don't be evil" was never an official motto, just a small part of the code of conduct.

... also not dripping with nearly as much ironically smug techie narcissism.

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