It's on the Internet, so it must be true...
I'm not saying it isn't plausible, only that it's highly unlikely. Think about it, at the rate of employee turnover Google has, coupled with the big sizes of AdSense teams (yes, there are several, in many places), wouldn't you think something like this had surfaced much, MUCH earlier?
I don't doubt that they treat their VIP's preferentially, but to downright steal from publishers, on a systematic scale? I seriously doubt it. I do however think that "guidelines" have been applied far to strictly in many cases, but I wouldn't necessarily see this as an intention to defraud publishers.
It's highly unlikely because you essentially say it's highly unlikely... You realise that's circular logic right? Because you proceed to ask a question not state any reasoning for, "highly unlikely".
Your reasoning is that the lack of a previous disclosure makes this disclosure unlikely... would you like to know what type of logical fallacy that one is?
How do you think people make their money? Is Google innovative? hahaha. No. Even that Glass is a joke as it's the 3rd gen. Very old stuff. But being available to the consumer it's new so they can get away with it and have a known, upgrade path. They do what everyone does, which is f people over.
Next guy;
"they are a multi-billion dollar company I have a hard time believing they did this."
How do you think they became that? Do you not realize that they want to stay a mult-billion dollar company? Did you see the last quarters earnings? Do you understand the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP earnings?
I'm just amazed in this baseless faith and that's what it is. You never worked there, you don't know anyone there. Heck your unlikely to have ever even spoke to someone from there who has a say in anything. Yet it's attack the messenger...
Next guy
"That'd be like a casino banning all their 'whales'"
Which is what most of them have done. You do realize that gaming ISN'T the main source of income for casinos in Las Vegas anymore, yes?
Other guy gets it.
"many people are blinded by the 'personality' of Google,"
Yes... personality of a website... Which comes from the website. I mean holy f guys... Scary thought processes going on here.
Other guy
"Don't compare spilling NSA secrets with spilling corporate secrets."
You do realize that in the 90's the CIA was caught spying on Volkswagon for GM yes? You probably think their looking for Mohammed in Aol chat rooms. Life in prison is a death sentence.
Same guy.
"I'm still leaning towards either a disgruntled employee or just a hoax. "
The author clearly states his motivate is one of disgust at people being ripped off.
You're trapped in a modality of thought, whereby you're attempting to gauge the voracity or the truthfulness of information based upon how it makes you feel, upon first hearing and seeing it. That's the worst way you can judge information for truthfulness.
Other guy.
"if you have your account suspended they're willing to negotiate if you remedy your issues."
You mean if your willing to accept less? hahaha.
"99.99% of people complaining about Adsense bans either thought they could get away with clicking their own adverts, had very suspicious traffic sources or violated the Adsense Terms of Service with only a couple of daily visitors to bargain with."
You know 99.99% of Adsense users with a complain... umm hmm.
Funny how nobody notes the absence of large Adsense checks the past few years. Remember when everyone would post those? Internet traffic grows, sites get better and yet, earnings drop massively. For everyone except Google that is.
You guys know Matt Cutts used to work for the NSA right? Just an interesting note, like how after the CIA's VCC, In-Q-Tel invested in Google that it became what it is today. Has anyone looked at the history of their board members? Because the entire place is run by former, CIA,DOD,NSA,FBI people. A coincidence am sure. All the crazy comments by Schmidt, his involvement with that... 'women', the stuff with Sergey and his wife. This is public stuff and yet.... Search revenue is where ALL the money comes from. How many times have they been in court for something?
Code:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-google-is-transforming-power-and-politicsgoogle-once-disdainful-of-lobbying-now-a-master-of-washington-influence/2014/04/12/51648b92-b4d3-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html
inb4 someone comments on the source of the report

First link I grabbed.