The war of words between Google and others is heating up, with the latest attack from Germany's largest publisher, who likened Google's control on the Internet to their intention of creating a pseudo superstate. It comes as controversy continues to surround the company over its relations with the general public.
CEO Matthias Döpfner of Alex Springer SE, was outspoken of Google's policies and action in the greater world, saying that people are "afraid of Google" and their takeover of the Internet, copyright and permission to reprint materials in their online databases.
"I must state this very clearly and frankly, because few of my colleagues dare do so publicly. And as the biggest among the small, perhaps it is also up to us to be the first to speak out in this debate," he wrote.
It comes after Google Chairman Eric Schmidt wrote an article detailing the company's attempts to work with Springer on what was described as a "profitable partnership."
In his article, he argues that Google does much good for the world and creates numerous new opportunities for the media landscape to change and inject new talent into the mainstream. However, others, like Döpfner, disagree, arguing that Google is attempting to create a new world based on their tech culture of Silicon Valley that is not congruent with global societies.
"The discussion about Google's power is not a conspiracy theory propagated by people mired in yesteryear," Döpfner added.
But Schmidt is adamant, saying "through innovation we could build new business models and achieve mutual benefit from emerging mobile and social technologies."
Schmidt also argued that regulation in Europe was too stringent and that reform was needed in order to create a more unified online world.
Many such as Döpfner in Europe are fearful of Google's rise to such monumental power over the everyday lives of citizens across the planet and the backlash that Google is receiving is part of this concern over copyright infringement and rights to privacy.
Google has not spoken on the comments from the German publisher.
The company is no stranger to controversy, as it has been witnessing sporadic protests against its busing of workers from San Francisco to its main campus about an hour south of the city. Opponents of the policy say it is driving up rental costs in the city and forcing middle-class families to move farther from their places of work.
