Leaked memo: Google CEO phone calls Capitol violence ‘antithesis of democracy’

• Google CEO Sundar Pichai has condemned the functions on Capitol Hill Wednesday as “the antithesis of democracy” in a memo to personnel.
• “Keeping free and safe elections and resolving our variations peacefully are foundational to the functioning of democracy,” wrote Pichai.
• YouTube claimed it had taken out a video by President Trump addressing the Capitol assault, in which he stated the election was “stolen.”
• Are you a latest or former Googler with extra to share? You can speak to this reporter securely employing the encrypted messaging application Signal (+1-628-228-1836) or encrypted e-mail ([email protected]). Reach out using a nonwork machine.
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Google CEO Sundar Pichai has condemned the violent occasions on Capitol Hill as “the antithesis of democracy” in a memo to workers.

Right after supporters of President Donald Trump violently stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, Pichai referred to as the scenes “stunning and terrifying for us all,” in accordance to a duplicate of the memo noticed by Small business Insider. A Google spokesperson confirmed the veracity of the e mail, but supplied no even more remark.

Rioters, who attended a “March for Trump” rally to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential race, overtook the US Capitol building on Wednesday. Lawmakers, Hill staffers, and reporters sheltered in offices right before being evacuated.

“Holding absolutely free and safe and sound elections and resolving our dissimilarities peacefully are foundational to the functioning of democracy,” wrote Pichai. “The United States has a very long and happy heritage of undertaking this. The lawlessness and violence occurring on Capitol Hill nowadays is the antithesis of democracy and we strongly condemn it.”

The CEO also explained that the firm was checking in with its D.C. staff members and would update staff members if any additional precautionary ways were essential.

The firm has occur underneath criticism for permitting movies stuffed with misinformation around the election to unfold on YouTube. The business claimed that it experienced taken down a online video by President Trump uploaded Wednesday addressing the Capitol assault, in which he said the election was “stolen.”

This is Pichai’s memo in comprehensive.

“Hello every person,

The scenes from Washington D.C. right now are stunning and terrifying for all of us. To start out, we are checking in on our D.C. workforce to make certain they are protected. We’re checking the situation and will retain impacted workforce updated if we choose any extra precautionary techniques that affect offices or structures.

Holding cost-free and safe and sound elections and resolving our distinctions peacefully are foundational to the working of democracy. The United States has a lengthy and happy background of executing this. The lawlessness and violence taking place on Capitol Hill now is the antithesis of democracy and we strongly condemn it.

We will carry on to send out updates as desired. In the meantime, make sure you prioritize your health and wellbeing by checking in with your help devices — however you determine them — and leaning on your Google group. If you might be seeking for added link or guidance, these assets are a superior place to begin.

Be sure to choose great treatment of by yourself and one particular a different.

– Sundar”