Google Touts Worker Tracking As Own CEO Goes MIA

theodp writes "On Thursday, Google announced a product that enables a business to see where all its workers are at all times. Called Maps Coordinate, it combines a paid-for business version of Google's standard maps product with an application downloaded to a worker's smartphone, creating a real-time record of worker locations. Ironically, Google touted its worker tracking solution on the very same day that CEO Larry Page was a surprise no-show at Google's Annual Shareholder Meeting, leaving Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to explain his absence. Schmidt explained that Page had lost his voice and, as a result, would likely also miss next week's I/O conference and possibly next month's quarterly earnings call. While a Google spokeswoman declined to comment further on Page's condition, Schmidt added that Page will continue as CEO while he recovers. So, why not reassure those worried about the situation by publicly tracking Page's location via Maps Coordinate? After all, Google's a true believer in eating its own dog food, right?"

Comments

Huh?

[Russ1642]

What kind of crap argument is that in the summary? Live tracking the CEO of Google because you're upset about your stocks. Genius.

Re:Huh?

[Hatta]

No, live tracking the CEO of Google because Google is pushing live tracking of employees.

Re:Huh?

[thegarbz]

Wait you're right!

We never considered this in the past. We will completely rethink our strategy from this point forward.

From now on we will not track a single person, everyone's browsing habits will be anonymous.
Here's our new pricing policy:
- $0.10 per google search.
- $0.30 per click on a search result.
- $10 per month for Gmail.
- $0.50 per sqkm of map downloaded on maps.

This new pricing structure offers people exactly what they want. A completely ad free and untracked Google experience. If you do not wish to pay this pricing scheme or wish to keep using Google services for free, you can sign up for a free google experience by sending an email to please_track_me@google.com

Kind Regards
Larry Page

Google - Giving the customers the choice they always wanted.

Does not correlate

[javajawa]

Really don't see how corporate tracking of employees suddenly becomes an expectation of publicly tracking an executive.

Re:Does not correlate

[Andy Dodd]

I agree. The description makes it sound like CEO caught a cold that included laryngitis... Seriously, that's not worthy of telling the whole goddamn planet where he is.

In a world where much work is done at a computer, it's pretty easy to continue as CEO of a company (especially one as tech-oriented as Google) but not be able to participate in a public speaking engagement due to laryngitis.

Soulskill

[geek]

Leave it to Soulskill to post this crap. Time to block the editor again eh? Sad how low the standards have gotten here.

Re:Tracking employees is just wrong

[Artraze]

I find it funny how "civilized society" to you means telling your employer to go pound sand if it's not precisely the time you're supposed to be in the building.
For me civilized is taking the occasional off-hours call in exchange for my employer allowing allowing me take an occasional (and, indeed, quite more frequent) bit of person time during work. Like reading and posting on slashdot, for instance. You know, like you're doing during these (ostensibly) business hours.

Re:Tracking employees is just wrong

[JoeMerchant]

Today they're tracking us during office hours, tomorrow they're tracking us after-hours. What's next?

Hmm, perhaps

Mandatory yearly physicals that only the company gets to see the results of.

Pre-employment genetic testing.

Employment termination due to not living in an approved community.

Background checks of all family, friends, and neighbors.

Oh, so you want to work in the Defense industry?