More Google / China Conflict

Reports the BBC News.

The Chinese government's internet filtering is some of the most sophisticated in the world.

Failing to comply to the Chinese censorship laws Google.com, the search engine’s uncensored international site, was blocked nationwide as of May 31.

According to Reporters Without Borders the censorship extension has encompassed Google News and Google Mail as well.

In January of this year Google launched Google.cn, a controversial Chinese language search engine which complied to the Chinese censorship laws. Google.cn is currently available across China.

While Google has been ridiculed for its actions others have lead the way into China. US companies Microsoft, Yahoo! and Cisco Systems are also being accused of accommodating the strict demands. However these accusations have been drowned out under the weight of Google critics.

But is Google going to reevaluate their stance? Or is Google more likely ride out the waves with this one?

In an interesting Search Engine Watch thread g7submit makes a bold, and what I would consider correct, statement.

Business[es] with moral ethics have never been ignored by the public, especially where there is a dominating party. The unethical or amoral business dealings may cause an initial public awareness and debate, but in the end once a viable alternative surfaces, people depart in droves.

Cynical yes, but based on the current attitudes once something else arises to be mad at or focus on people tend to shift away from “old news”.

Google may have more at stake than current press coverage. If Google decides to back out of China that leaves rivals to fight over the spoils. It could compromise the talks of a Google/China Mobile service .


Another flag here comes from statement reportedly made by Brin that Google only agreed to follow along with the restrictions after being strong armed into it. Ok, those weren’t his exact words, but Google agreed after China dropped it.

From a Wired News Report today:

Brin said the internet company had agreed to the censorship demands only after Chinese authorities blocked its service in that country.

If Google folds under pressure can it really walk away from billions of users while its rivals flourish in the glee that Google cannot touch?