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In a leaked memo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai calls for employees to keep their focus amid a new antitrust lawsuit: 'Keep doing what you're doing'

Sundar Pichai
Yves Herman/Reuters

  • The Justice Department just slapped Google with a landmark antitrust lawsuit focusing on the company's dominance in search.
  • A public statement has been circulated among employees, but CEO Sundar Pichai also voiced some thoughts in an internal email obtained by Business Insider.
  • "I've had Googlers ask me how they can help, and my answer is simple: keep doing what you're doing. The best way we can help the company in times like these is by staying deeply focused on our mission," he said.
  • Are you a Google insider with insight to share? You can contact this reporter securely using the encrypted messaging app Signal (+1-628-228-1836) or encrypted email (hslangley@protonmail.com). Reach out using a nonwork device.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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The Department of Justice has hit Google with a lawsuit that accuses the company of abusing its monopoly to give itself an unfair advantage in search.

It's the largest legal case Google has ever faced and has the potential to be dragged through the courts for years.

In a public statement, Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs, called the landmark case "deeply flawed."

But as the significance of the case becomes apparent to many employees, Google executives also addressed the case internally, according to emails viewed by Business Insider.

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On Tuesday, Walker emailed employees with a summary of his public statement alongside some additional comments. "While we can expect some tough criticism and even misleading claims about our work, it's important not to get distracted by this process, including speculating on legal issues internally or externally," he wrote.

That was followed by an email from Pichai, which echoed comments made by Walker. The CEO told employees that "scrutiny is nothing new for Google" and that "we look forward to presenting our case."

"I've had Googlers ask me how they can help, and my answer is simple: keep doing what you're doing," Pichai wrote. "The best way we can help the company in times like these is by staying deeply focused on our mission."

He then went on to praise Google's work during the COVID-19 pandemic and touch on developments in artificial intelligence and search.

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Here's the memo in full:

Hi Googlers,

As Kent said, scrutiny is nothing new for Google, and we look forward to presenting our case.

I've had Googlers ask me how they can help, and my answer is simple: keep doing what you're doing. The best way we can help the company in times like these is by staying deeply focused on our mission.

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We have long believed that Google succeeds only when our users, customers, and communities do — and 2020 has been no exception. As the world continues to transform the way we work and live, I'm proud that so many people continue to choose Google products and services to help them state connected, informed, healthy, and safe.

Our users choose us not because they have to; they choose us because we're helpful. From the quality and relevance of our search information to wildfire mapping and crisis alerts, to our COVID-19 exposure notifications (now in more than 40 countries), to the new line of hardware we just launched: our technology is helping people in moments that matter.

We continue to build technologies that will improve lives and be a net benefit to society in the long-term, from bold new developments in AI, continued innovation in Search, and so much more.

Our mission has never been more important, so let's keep up the good work and stay focused. Thanks for all your support.

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Sundar

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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