UK Edition
Google removes 'Don’t be evil' from its code of conduct
Google has removed most instances of its famous “Don’t be evil” motto from its code of conduct, 18 years after it was first introduced.
The alteration to its charter, which the tech giant distributes to its employees, took place at some point in late April or early May, according to archives hosted by the Wayback Machine website.
The phrase “Don’t be evil” has been adopted into the company’s code of conduct since 2000, as well as it being used as its unofficial motto.
The expression is ingrained into the company’s culture, with it even acting as a Wi-Fi password on the buses that Google uses to ferry its employees to its Mountain View headquarters in California, sources told Gizmodo.
However the axiom was changed to “do the right thing” in 2015 when Google was reorganised under a new parent company, Alphabet.
Despite the motto change, Google retained its original “don’t be evil” clause in the code of conduct until a few weeks ago. The relevant section of the old code, as archived by the Wayback Machine on April 21, 2018, reads:
"'Don’t be evil.' Googlers generally apply those words to how we serve our users. But 'Don’t be evil' is much more than that. Yes, it’s about providing our users unbiased access to information, focusing on their needs and giving them the best products and services that we can. But it’s also about doing the right thing more generally – following the law, acting honourably, and treating co-workers with courtesy and respect.
"The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put “Don’t be evil” into practice. It’s built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct.
"We set the bar that high for practical as well as aspirational reasons: Our commitment to the highest standards helps us hire great people, build great products, and attract loyal users. Trust and mutual respect among employees and users are the foundation of our success, and they are something we need to earn every day."
And the updated version, first archived by the Wayback Machine on May 4, 2018, states:
"The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put Google’s values into practice. It’s built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct.
"We set the bar that high for practical as well as aspirational reasons: Our commitment to the highest standards helps us hire great people, build great products, and attract loyal users. Respect for our users, for the opportunity, and for each other are foundational to our success, and are something we need to support every day."
Google’s code of conduct says it has not been updated since April 5, 2018.
The new version does contain a hint to the company’s unofficial motto in the final line of the document. It reads: "And remember… don’t be evil, and if you see something that you think isn’t right – speak up!"