Facebook is in an interesting situation here. Most of their value comes from the lock-in they have on their users. Users are already well established on their platform and would only switch if everyone else did, since the value of the social network is diminished with fewer and fewer users. Facebook clearly is attempting to prevent this by moves such as not allowing Google to use Facebook user lists. However, without the free flow of information, more and more retaliatory actions may be employed by other companies against Facebook.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Open Warfare: Google v. Facebook
Google's mission of making the world's information available to all has led Google to maintaining an open platform, where information is freely exchanged with other platforms, for the most part. This mission is in direct opposition with Facebook, which has imported information from other platforms, but rarely provides others with their information, without major incentives. In a recent article, Google has finally taken a direct stance against Facebook. Google has disallowed Facebook to use Gmail Connect, which used to provide Facebook users the option of looking through their Gmail contacts and connecting with those users on Facebook. This is due to the fact that Facebook does not allow Google to see its users, thus creating a one way street.
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I like this article. I found a similar one on BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11709678) and although this a strategic move by Google to combat facebook, I think it can also be seen as a step towards net neutrality. If I were to guess, I would bet that Google starts to make it known that their information is still available to others, but only if the others are willing to share as well. Google, the giant gorilla in the room, looks to be trying to show their compassionate side by helping only those who help others...rather than just trying to slowly topple facebooks looming tidal wave of net power.
ReplyDeleteThis could get very interesting.
Although this is an interesting situation, I think it is one that is unique to these two companies. Other companies will likely see too much potential value in the information facebook holds and they will see the value in the targeted marketing that can be done with this information. Google is also likely the only company with enough information to have any power in witholding it from facebook.
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