The Daily Beast broke news today that Fecebook Facebook hired PR firm Burson-Marsteller to pitch anti-Google stories to bloggers and newspapers, telling them to investigate claims that Google’s Social Circle violates the terms of service of other social networks (e.g. Facebook). In exchange for their efforts, the PR firm promised writers they’d have their articles featured on popular sites like the Washington Post, Politico, The Hill, Roll Call or the Huffington Post.
But things went belly up for the PR firm (and Facebook) when one blogger, Christopher Soghoian, turned down their offer and made all the emails public. From there it was only a matter of time until the media caught wind of the story and revealed the truth.
Confronted with evidence, a Facebook spokesman last night confirmed that Facebook hired Burson, citing two reasons: First, because it believes Google is doing some things in social networking that raise privacy concerns [LOL]; second, and perhaps more important, because Facebook resents Google’s attempts to use Facebook data in its own social-networking service.
Enjoy the rewards of your brilliant PR move, Facebook. 
At least Google’s fight for rich, creamy user data isn’t dirty.
