SEM Outrage over Google Autolinks continues to simmer

[Jim Hedger]

Several forums are tackling the Autolinks feature in Google's new
Toolbar v3(Beta). It's getting ugly friends.

Accusations of spyware, adware and malware are springing up beside the
obvious comparisons with Microsoft's previous abuses of their powerful
position.

Over at Jill Whalen's HighRankings Forums, the discussion turns towards
class action lawsuits.

Meanwhile, over at CNet, reporter Stephanie Olsen speculated on
Google's hiring of former MS product manager (and the original author
of the failed MS Smart Tag auto-link software) and the fact that
Microsoft continues to hold the patent on auto-linking.

Even in the quiet retirement community of Palm Springs the local daily,
The Desert Sun raises questions about Google Maps (a main feature of
Google autolink) and a person's right to privacy. After writing such an
angry article, one wonders what will happen if the author Cindy Uken
starts to dig a little deeper.

Google is flirting with the event horizon of a massive PR nightmare.