Google Ditches 'Don't be Evil' Mantra: A Shift in Corporate Identity

A former Google employee has shed light on why the tech company abandoned its 'Don't be evil' mantra. According to an interview, Google ex-employee Simon shared his experience and insights about the change in the company's philosophy.

Simon explained that he was a Computer Science BSc graduate who had been writing about technology since 2014. He worked for an indie game studio before joining Google, where he wrote articles on various tech topics. After working at MakeUseOf, he moved to XDA to cover the latest Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics news.

The 'Don't be evil' mantra was a central part of Google's corporate identity when it first launched. However, in 2026, the company dropped this slogan from its code of conduct. According to Simon, there were several reasons for this change, including the need for a more nuanced and complex approach to ethics.

Simon emphasized that Google's 'Don't be evil' mantra was initially well-intentioned but became too simplistic over time. He noted that as the company grew and expanded into new areas, it faced increasing complexity in its operations. This led to a need for a more sophisticated approach to ethics, which is what ultimately led to the removal of the slogan.