Uber’s model crossed ethical lines where Google’s AdWords had printed money

Evidence

Uber also marked the twilight of the internet as an automated money machine for investors. Unlike Google’s AdWords, which generated immense profits almost immediately, Uber’s business model relied on finding ethical lines to cross rather than true technological innovation. After Uber, Big Tech could no longer be seen as detached from societal issues, as its business models seemingly worked against the public’s best interests. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 509

Categorization

Category: Causal Relationships

• XREF: Provides the mechanism contrast between older and newer internet business models — useful for the four-period structure tracing.

Related

• Uber’s business model was crossing ethical lines, not innovating (similarity 0.93)
• Google’s 2004 financial results ended the search for a workable internet business model. (similarity 0.78)