When Google Met WikiLeaks

When Google Met WikiLeaks documents a 2011 meeting between Julian Assange and Google executives Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen. The book contains the full transcript of their lengthy conversation at a time when Assange was under house arrest in rural England. The discussion ranges from technology and politics to surveillance, cryptocurrency, and the future of the internet. Through annotations and commentary, Assange provides context for the meeting and examines Google's evolving relationship with state power. Beyond the central conversation, the text explores how tech companies interact with governments and shape global information flows. Assange presents evidence of connections between Silicon Valley leaders and U.S. foreign policy objectives. This account serves as both historical record and critique of modern digital power structures, raising questions about corporate influence over democracy in an age of mass data collection.

Readers note this book primarily contains the transcript of a 2011 conversation between Assange and Google executives, with Assange's additional commentary. Many reviews mention the book provides insights into both organizations' contrasting visions for the internet's future. Readers appreciated: - Direct source material from the conversation - Technical details about surveillance systems - Historical context about WikiLeaks' early days - Analysis of Google's ties to US foreign policy Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Assange's personal views - Repetitive arguments - Lack of opposing viewpoints - Dated material by time of publication Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Several readers noted the book works better as a primary source document than a cohesive narrative. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Important conversation, but could have been a long-form article rather than a book."

No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald The inside story of Edward Snowden's NSA revelations and their impact on global surveillance shows the intersection of technology, privacy, and power.

The WikiLeaks Files by WikiLeaks A compilation of diplomatic cables and government documents reveals patterns in U.S. foreign policy and international relations across multiple continents.

Permanent Record by Edward Snowden The autobiography of the NSA whistleblower details the surveillance mechanisms within the U.S. intelligence system and the decision to expose them.

Cypherpunks by Julian Assange The text explores how digital technologies shape freedom, privacy, and the future of global communications.

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff The examination of how tech companies collect and monetize personal data exposes the economic system behind digital surveillance.

📚 The meeting chronicled in the book took place in June 2011 at Ellingham Hall, where Assange was under house arrest, and lasted for five hours. 🔍 Google executives Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen initially approached Assange under the premise of an interview for their book "The New Digital Age," but Assange later viewed this as intelligence gathering. 💻 The book contains the complete transcript of the conversation between Assange and the Google executives, along with Assange's critical annotations and commentary. 🌐 Assange reveals that by 2011, Google was already receiving weekly visits from the NSA, FBI, and other U.S. intelligence agencies, highlighting the close relationship between Silicon Valley and government surveillance. 📖 The book was published in 2014, two years after Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he used his time to analyze and write about the implications of the Google meeting.