Are Google turning evil?

28th April 2009

Google Apps sign in page

Is this the first sign of Google going against its motto of 'Don't be evil'?

On the Google Apps sign-up page, the standard (free) version has been hidden under a large button which directs people to the paid-for premium edition.

This may not seem like a big deal, but Google prides itself on not being evil. Here, the hiding of the free version beneath a button where users can trial the paid-for version seems a little out of character and marginally dishonest.

Google offers 2 flavours of Google Apps. 'Standard' which is free and 'Premium' which costs $50 a year and offers additional features such as email archiving, removal of ad and email and phone support.

To find the free version, a user would need to look past the large blue button and click the link which states 'Explore Standard Edition'.