Google Ending Self-Censorship in China, May Get the Boot
Posted by Peter Inthirakoth in censor, censorship, China, cyber attack, cyber attacks, exit, Google
In the past, Google has received criticism for its willingness to censor search results in China in order to appease the Chinese government. It claimed that its participation, although censored, would provide benefits to the Chinese people through the use of its search services.
On January 12, 2010, Google has announced that it will no longer censor its searches in China. Google cites a series of cyber attacks that attempted to gather information on Chinese human rights activists. These attacks targeted at least 20 different companies.
In Google's blog, they stated that they were concerned with the implications of human rights and freedom of speech in China. A remarkably bold move, and one that the Chinese government most likely will not like.
The die has been cast. Google is no longer willing to censor their results in China and they have stated that they will exit the country if China will not allow them to operate as such. The company realizes that this may be the end of their operations in China. The impact of an exit would be significant as Google holds a 30% market share in China--Baidu holds 62%.
Let it be noted that Google is willing to take a hit in their business operations in order to follow what they believe is ethical.
Main story here at the Guardian.uk