08.30.11
Gemini version available ♊︎Confirmed: Ben Edelman Paid by Microsoft, Attacks Google
Academia-flavoured AstroTurf
Summary: “I’ve worked with Microsoft on these kinds of matters,” writes Ben Edelman, whose poison pen has one main target: Google
IT IS NOT just a theory that Microsoft hires AstroTurf professionals to attack Google. It is a well-confirmed truth and while more evidence remains to be found about the Edelman-connected Consumer Watchdog, we already know about LawMedia Group and Burson-Marsteller [1, 2, 3]. It has been proven many times before that Microsoft pays for people to smear Google and give the company antitrust trouble. See the older post “Attempt to Involve Me in Anti-Google ‘Astroturf Lies’ PR Campaign”, it is not an isolated incident. So when Ben Edelman started attacking Google we wrote about it [EN | ES]; as we know from experience/history that companies or individuals attacking Microsoft rivals is often a sign that they are in Microsoft’s pocket.
Well, based on the finding of our editorial team (from last night), Ben Edelman has just admitted being on Microsoft’s payroll. He wrote:
Much of my work for Microsoft does indeed speak to advertising fraud. Microsoft must make sure Bing doesn’t show ads for scams, that fraudsters don’t use the Microsoft DRIVEpm ad network, that Windows Defender properly detects spyware/adware, etc. I’ve worked with Microsoft on these kinds of matters.
The headline he chose says “DOJ pharmacy investigation undermines Google credibility”; well, guess who else has just lost credibility? A self-potraying “academic” who works for Microsoft and attacks Google in the press. The best AstroTurf money can buy, eh? Over the years we have covered many examples where Microsoft hired acaemics to compose a bunch of spin, lies, and ammunition for lobbying. The Gates Foundation does the same thing. █
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bedelman said,
August 30, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Roy: Contrary to your second paragraph, I didn’t “just” admit anything. My bio, posted to my public web site for years, has long mentioned Microsoft as a client. Check out, e.g., http://web.archive.org/web/20090518074218/http://www.benedelman.org/bio/ — a May 2009 archive that included exactly this information. My work with Microsoft is no secret at all. That said, my work for Microsoft is unrelated to Google’s unlawful pharmacy ads.
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Thanks for the feedback, Ben.
Michael Glasser said,
August 30, 2011 at 8:08 pm
I responded to this post here: http://trw.gallopinginsanity.com/2011/08/31/ben-edelman
Michael Glasser said,
August 31, 2011 at 3:41 pm
You claim Mr. Edelman has one main target, but offer no support.
You claim that Mr. Edelman just admitted he has Microsoft as a client, as though he has tried to hide this. I see no evidence than he has.
You call Mr. Edelman a “self-portrayed” academic – but there is no reason to doubt he is exactly what he describes himself as, nor doubt that he is the assistant professor he claims to be.
The one thing you never get around to is actually saying where he is wrong. Do you deny that Google, against its own policies, accepted illegal ads? Do you deny Google denied it was tied to such advertising?
How would you react if Microsoft’s Bing were found to be doing much the same – posting illegal ads? I am sure you would not give them a pass.