This makes a lot of sense to me in the way you have said it.

The department probably exists in the first place as a result of an internal political struggle and compromise - with some decision-makers wanting Google to be genuinely more ethical, and others wanting to avoid any genuine oversight.

As a result, you have this bodge solution where the department gets to exist (helped by the PR benefit as mentioned elsewhere), but not to act independently. Anyone in the department offering genuine oversight is at risk of being forced out.

throwaway2245:9 says >"The department probably exists in the first place as a result of an internal political struggle and compromise - with some decision-makers wanting Google to be genuinely more ethical, and others wanting to avoid any genuine oversight."<

I certainly hope you are right. And with some foresight, the ethics department is a "Golgafrinchan Ark Fleet Ship B" now fully loaded and ready for departure. Bon Voyage!

https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Golgafrinchan_Ark_Fleet_...

In a world rife with deceptive marketing and advertising, PR spin, greenwashing, lobbying, astroturfing, and backroom deals, taking a corporation's actions or words at face value without considering if there might instead be an ulterior motive rooted in avarice is simply naive.

In a world of lies, deception, half-truths, fabrications, and hypocrisy, it would be simply naive to put any faith into a random internet comment. What could your ulterior motives be for posting this?