Google Tries To Kibosh Funding Of Critic

Google's critics have complained for several years that the company has grown too large and powerful to be entirely trustworthy. Now, new revelations have given some of Google's most ardent critics additional ammunition. This week, it came to light that Google attempted to persuade a foundation to stop funding Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica (CA)-based non-profit that criticized the search giant for its privacy stance. Google's Bob Boorstin, director of policy communications, sent an email to the Rose Foundation on Feb. 9 complaining about the group Consumer Watchdog and asking the charity to consider "whether there might be better groups in which to place your trust and resources." Last year, the Rose Foundation gave Consumer Watchdog $100,000.