Google CEO warns of possible job cuts after DoubleClick merger

Google may cut its workforce as it integrates online ad firm DoubleClick into its operations, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt warned in a blog posting after the acquisition was approved by the European Commission on Tuesday.

"As with most mergers, there may be reductions in headcount. We expect these to take place in the U.S. and possibly in other regions as well," he wrote. The process of determining the right staffing levels in the U.S. is expected to be completed in the U.S. by early April, and could take longer for offices outside the country, he said.

Schmidt also offered assurances that consumer privacy will be protected following the acquisition. "Our scale and infrastructure mean that users will also be spending less time waiting for Web pages to load," he wrote.

After many months of review, the European Commission finally gave its stamp of approval to the merger, concluding that combining the two companies does not harm competition in the market.

[daintreepeters]

Scale beats privacy?

Hasty (or lazy) journalism turned this:

"Because user trust is paramount to the success of our business, users will continue to benefit from our commitment to protecting user privacy following this acquisition. And our scale and infrastructure mean that users will also be spending less time waiting for web pages to load."

into this:

"Schmidt also offered assurances that consumer privacy will be protected following the acquisition. "Our scale and infrastructure mean that users will also be spending less time waiting for Web pages to load," he wrote."

For a moment I thought Schmidt had lost *all* understanding of what privacy is all about. Luckily, it was just CNet.

[Renegade Knight]

So Much for Google Being The Good Guy

It may fall short of "Do no evil" but it's doing harm. Doubleclick and Google were viable without each other before. It's hard to see the benefit to shareholders, employees, and the public now.

Maybe if Doubleclick was ready for bankrupsy and Google was the White Knight that was saving 90% of the jobs intead of cutting them.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: So Much for Google Being The Good Guy

What in the heck would EVER have made you believe they're the "good guys"?

I'd REALLY love to know...

[WJeansonne]

No Microsoft, that's for sure.

I though Google was the next thing since sliced bread? Uh, the Microsoft killer. Here there are in their 10th year and are starting to ax people. Microsoft has never had a mass lay-off in its 30+ years of operation.

THIS WAS FOR THE NAYSAYERS!