Google News executive Shailesh Prakash resigns amid increasing tensions with news publications: Report

Google's business practises with news has come under intense scrutiny, especially because news organisations rely on the search engine for traffic

Published on: Nov 12, 2024, 12:06:23 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Shailesh Prakash, the vice president and general manager for Google News, has resigned amid rising tensions with news publications that accused the search engine giant of taking important advertising revenue, Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

A large Google logo is seen at Google's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, on August 13, 2024 (Josh Edelson/AFP)

However, the official reason behind Prakash's resignation isn't known yet.

Also Read: Bitcoin at over $89,000, soars above pre-pandemic peak amid Donald Trump win

Why did news publications clash with Google?

Google's business practices with news have come under intense scrutiny, especially because news organisations rely on the search engine for traffic.

For example, AI Overviews, which was introduced last May, gives an AI-generated summary on top of search results while burying links to other sites. In response, News Media Alliance, a nonprofit representing more than 2,200 publishers told the the feature would be “catastrophic to our traffic” and even called on the feds to intervene.

In addition, Google was also alleged to have used publishers' copyrighted content to train its AI tools without attribution.

According to a New York Post report, Google was even alleged to have used its access to the Office of the US Trade Representative to undermine foreign regulations such as Canada’s Online News Act, which required Google to pay for the right to display news content.

Also Read: Elon Musk's Starlink agrees to data security rules, satcom license application to move forward: Report

Who is Shailesh Prakash?

Shailesh Prakash joined Google in November 2022 after an 11-year career with The Washington Post, serving as chief product and technology officer and also working at Sears and Microsoft before that.

At the Washington Post, he was credited with guiding the paper's digital shift and also headed the creation of its in-house advertising technology business.

He even worked closely with billionaire Jeff Bezos who bought the newspaper for $500 million in 2013.

Also Read: Nestle, PepsiCo sell substandard products in low-income countries like India, claims report

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with the latest Business News on Petrol Price, Gold Rate, Silver Rates, Diesel Prices along with Income Tax Calculator