It may not be evil, but does
that mean it's on your side?

Google is getting a glimpse of what objections a deal with Yahoo might raise, reports the BBC.

16 American civil liberties groups have banded to scuttle any likelihood of a liaison between the two companies. Groups include the National Black Leadership Forum, which itself is comprised of 36 organizations, and the League of Rural Voters.

The grand coalition sent a letter to the Justice Department's antitrust division head, arguing a deal between Google and Yahoo would give one body — Google — control over 90 percent of search advertising. That dominance could put Google in a position to heavily promote its own wares while minimizing opportunities for competition.

The repercussions of that would be most damaging to minority and rural communities, said the coalition.

In March, Google was used in almost 60 percent of searches. Yahoo, a distant second, served 21.3 percent. But some argue that Yahoo outdoes Google significantly in certain online ad categories.

Last month Yahoo engaged Google in a two-week partnership to manage its sponsored search results. The results were reportedly good — so good, in fact, that the Justice Department has already begun to examine the Yahoo/Google relationship closely.

Across the pond, the Center for Digital Democracy urges European regulators to scrutinize the liaison and squash it if possible.

For its part, Google CEO Eric Schmidt says any relationship between Google and Yahoo shall be designed with antitrust concerns foremost in everyone's mind. And while there is no doubt the two companies will be thinking about antitrust concerns, neither has promised to maintain a healthy competitive environment.

Privacy advocates are still waiting for Google to act on its nearly year-old commitment to revise its policy on cookies.