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# Oh Really, Microsoft?
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/oh-really-microsoft/
- Published: 2012-02-01T15:41:31.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:56.000Z
- Description: On the company's convenient position on user privacy.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Platforms, Strategy, Google, Microsoft, Privacy, The Age of the Platform

Count [Microsoft among the companies taking shots at Google](https://gizmodo.com/5881198/microsoft-takes-a-shot-at-google-privacy-concerns-in-its-new-ad-campaign?ref=philsimon.com) for its "new" privacy policy.

Do I understand this? Of course. Microsoft is trying to differentiate itself from arguably its main rival.

Do I agree with it? Of course not. If Microsoft could do what Google is doing, make no mistake: it would. In other words, How convenient.

Period.

## Simon Says

In the Age of the Platform, it's easy to try and take the high road when, in fact, you just can't do what your competition is doing. If you don't get mobile or social, it's facile to look at the downsides and claim that "you're better than that."

In reality, though, your company is often just incapable of keeping up with market leaders.