So the path was:
Don't be evil.
Do not be evil.
Do be evil.
Be evil.
Evil.
What an utter disappointment amongst so many. Plenty here for future generations to be further disappointed. But not necessarily surprised.
Don't be evil.
Do not be evil.
Do be evil.
Be evil.
Evil.
What an utter disappointment amongst so many. Plenty here for future generations to be further disappointed. But not necessarily surprised.
Further centralization, control and censorship.
It’s extremely difficult for a company to not do things that would maximize its profits. I don’t think the Founder-Good narrative is productive, it doesn’t work. One possible way to limit the harm is by regulations (or enforcement of existing ones), to make “evil” activity more expensive and thus not an option.
Page and Brin are still board members and controlling shareholders of Alphabet. It's foolish to assume they don't share responsibility for the current state of Google and the rest of Alphabet's properties.