They were operating from within the Google network, while (presumably, otherwise they shouldn't be onsite) working for Google - hence the difference between being a contractor and an employee is pretty small.
We have contractors onsite where I work. If they did something bad (especially if it is in any way related to what we do, as in all those recent Google cases) I would say that we would be to blame to the same extent as if they were employed by us.
What Google should do, and probably should have done after the Kenyan thing, is terminate any and all contracts with the contracted firm.
We have contractors onsite where I work. If they did something bad (especially if it is in any way related to what we do, as in all those recent Google cases) I would say that we would be to blame to the same extent as if they were employed by us.
What Google should do, and probably should have done after the Kenyan thing, is terminate any and all contracts with the contracted firm.