SlyOldDog - 10:31 pm on Jan 3, 2003 (gmt 0)

Google would be far better off exploiting their huge database for Big Brother applications. I can think of a few pretty sinister uses for the Google toolbar.

If they're going to ruin their name (which paid search would do), they might as well make a few billion on the way.

NFFC, the technology's already being used by the Chinese government. After a certain volume of searches you can block Google access for an IP for a certain time. As you say this would kill information based corporations and they would have to pay. Blackmail? Yes. Immoral? No.