[hwillis]

It's not unethical to not donate. It's unethical to direct their research. They're an independent entity.

Even more important than that though is that think tanks are supposed to produce objective truth through rational arguments. It is unethical to interfere with objective truth. Google can argue the subjective validity of what New America produces, but they can't just block things they don't agree with. By influencing New America to avoid statements condemning Google, that's what they are doing.

I'll admit it's a fine line between withdrawing funding and using it as a threat to influence a think tank, but I think the difference is obvious.

[melikeburgers]

Corporations often invest in public policy groups that further their own goals. Once they realize the funding is antithetical to the corporate goals, it's in the company's best interest to defund it.

The onus here to protect the Open Markets work, IMO, isn't on Google. It should be on the New America foundation. They had 2 choices: 1, Tell Google goodbye and raise money elsewhere while keeping to fund the Open Market initiative. Or 2, Keep Google's funding while defunding and disbanding the Open Markets team.

The ire, I believe, should be directed at the New America foundation and their leadership. Google seemed to just protect their best interests.