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Play the Google Blame Game
Whenever Google is caught doing something dubious, even “evil,” its response is always the same: It’s someone else’s fault.

Whenever Google is caught doing something dubious, even “evil,” its response is always the same: It’s someone else’s fault.

The alleged source of Google’s troubles has changed over the years. When journalists or regulators have raised questions about its conduct, Google has pointed at different times to MicrosoftAppleRupert MurdochViacomOracleFoxAT&TMPAANBC Universalpublisherscompetitorscomparison shopping sites, “some existing providers,” “a small number of websites”—even “an anti-Google Industrial Complex.”

After a certain age, everyone, even multinational corporations, has to start taking responsibility for their actions. So, in honor of Google’s 21st birthday a few weeks ago, we pulled together a sampling of the company’s attempts to blame someone else for its questionable conduct. Because it’s Google, we’ve turned it into a Google Doodle for the occasion.

Enjoy!

October 9, 2019
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Arms dealers in Houthi-controlled Yemen are openly offering weapons for sale on Elon Musk’s X and Meta-owned WhatsApp.

June 12, 2025

The Apple and Google app stores offer VPNs without revealing they’re owned by Chinese companies. That keeps Americans in the dark about privacy and national security risks.

April 14, 2025

Facebook prohibits fraud. But in dozens of Facebook groups, users are buying and renting Uber driver accounts under other people’s identities.

July 31, 2024

Meta says it prohibits ads that sell prescription and recreational drugs. But it’s approving drug dealer ads targeting users in multiple countries.