Will Google Crackdown On Shady Search Toolbars Hurt AVG & IAC

Google announced that it had new “software principles” designed to fight a common complaint with search toolbars: that consumers are uncertain how they got installed on their computers in the first place, that they don’t like the often ad-heavy search results they generate or that it’s hard to get them removed.

Despite this, a recent post by privacy advocate Ben Edelman accuses Google partner IAC of preying on unsuspecting users. Such behavior, if true, doesn’t seem to mesh with Google’s standards. (This isn’t the first time IAC has been accused of getting away with violating Google policies.) Meanwhile, a post on Seeking Alpha by hedge fund manager Eiad Asbah highlights issues with AVG. That post also suggested that a new crackdown would happen, and postulated that the Yahoo relationship was meant to protect AVG if problems arose with Google.

AVG recently signed search contracts with Google and Yahoo, and we are continuing to work closely with them as a strategic partner on numerous fronts. AVG wants to ensure that peoples’ online experiences are transparent and safe. While search makes up a portion of our business, we are first and foremost a security and privacy company and are very aligned with Google in their efforts to make the web a better and safer place.