Microsoft’s Scroogled campaign is back, now attacking the Google Play Store over privacy concerns [VIDEOS]
It was only a few hours ago we told you guys about Microsoft leading the attack on Android after filing a complaint with the European Commission over concerns that Google could be using Android to strong-arm manufacturers into only using Google services. As many of you already figured out, it was a weak argument (Android is currently in use by many manufacturers completely devoid of Google’s apps and services).
But don’t think that’s the last we’ve heard from Microsoft. You might remember their ongoing “Scroogled” campaign, a series of ads Microsoft uses to scare consumers away from all things Google, largely over privacy concerns (Gmail sniffing). Well, Scroogled is back once again, this time with a vengeance.
Now Microsoft is targeting the Google Play Store and its policy of sharing your name, email, and general neighborhood location with developers from around the world. In the videos, Microsoft says, “If you can’t trust their app store, maybe you can’t trust them for anything.” Quickly after the punchline, they advertise Bing search and Windows Phone as alternatives to Google’s services — 2 key areas Microsoft has been going toe-to-toe with Google (and losing) from the beginning. Here’s the 2nd ad spot:
Google’s response? They sent the following short, but sweet statement to TechCrunch:
“Google Wallet shares the information needed to process transactions and maintain accounts, and this is clearly stated in the Google Wallet Privacy Notice.”
Are these low down dirty tactics by Microsoft? Sure looks like it. Of course, this isn’t the first campaign we’ve seen from Microsoft where they aren’t pulling any punches. You may remember Microsoft’s #DroidRage social campaign attacking Google’s Android over malware concerns. Of course, this was like the pot calling the kettle black and quickly backfired into #WindowsRage. What do you guys think about the ads? Sure there’s some truth to the ads, but is this nothing more than a sign that Google has Microsoft against the ropes? Are the Google Play Store’s privacy concerns really as big a deal as Microsoft makes it out to be?