Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, and the company’s top lawyer, Kent Walker, urged employees to keep their heads down amidst the Justice Department’s high-profile antitrust lawsuit, according to separate emails from employees on Tuesday.
Walker wrote in an internal email to workers, “While we can expect some harsh criticism about our work and even misleading claims about our work, it is important not to deviate from the process , Which involves speculation internally or externally on legal issues. ” . The notes were previously reported by Business Insider.
Pichai wrote in his note, “I have gogglers, ask me how they can help, and my answer is simple. “Scrutiny is nothing new for Google, and we look forward to presenting our case.”
The Justice Department filed its long-expected retaliatory lawsuit against Google on Tuesday, alleging that the company maintained a monopoly in search by cutting out rivals from major distribution channels. In what is the first antitrust lawsuit in his home country by the federal government, eleven Republican state attorneys general joined the DOJ as plaintiffs.
While it is not for the common company to discuss pending litigation, this particular suit sparked a backlash from its highest officials, showing that leaders are concerned about the possible deflection of workers. This makes executives increasingly remind their employees that the products they are making are “supportive”, as public criticism about its business practices grows louder.
In his note, Pichai listed various Google products ranging from artificial intelligence to COVID-19 exposure notifications, reminding employees that the company manufactures technologies that will “improve lives and purify society in the long run Will benefit. ”
Pichai wrote, “Our users choose us because they are not, they choose us because we are helpful.” “From the quality and relevance of our search information to wildfire mapping and crisis notifications, to our COVID-19 exposure notifications (now in more than 40 countries), to the new line of hardware we’ve just launched: our technology That case is helping people in moments. ”
In his note, Walker reiterated his public statements, accusing the DOJ of “deep flaws” in the case, and said that it “does not square with the facts of the law.”
Pichai said at the end of his note, “Our mission has never been important, so keep up the good work and stay focused.” “Thanks for all your support.”
Google declined to comment further on communications to employees.
Now watch: Department of Justice files suit against Google
.