Silicon Valley’s favorite tech giant is at it again, pulling strings behind the scenes to protect its digital money-making machine. Google, the master of covert operations, recently launched a low-key campaign against a California privacy bill that would’ve made web browsing a bit more human-friendly.

The Puppet Master’s Playbook

Instead of showing up to public hearings like a transparent corporate citizen, Google decided to play 4D chess. They quietly emailed small business owners, warning them that the proposed legislation (AB 566) would destroy their online advertising dreams. The twist? Google didn’t even put its name on the petition.

Following the Money Trail

The tech behemoth used a front group called the “Connected Commerce Council” to do its dirty work. This organization, funded by Google and Amazon, claimed to represent small businesses while conveniently echoing Google’s concerns about potential revenue loss.

The Privacy Power Grab

The proposed bill would’ve required browsers to automatically tell websites not to share personal information. Browsers like DuckDuckGo and Firefox already offer this feature, but Google? They’d rather keep collecting and selling your data.

Experts are calling out this shadowy lobbying as a prime example of how big tech manipulates the system. Brandon Forester from MediaJustice put it perfectly: “None of us wants to enter a surveillance marketplace every time we go on the internet”.

So next time you’re scrolling online, remember: Google’s watching, and they’re playing a game where you’re just a data point.