Google Finds Its Backbone - Won't Censor China Search, May Close China Operations
By Tom Foremski - January 12, 2010
Yesterday I wrote that when it comes to China, "Google's backbone is as flexible as that of a Chinese circus contortionist." Because Google is quick to bend over backwards and appease the Chinese authorities over any complaints compared with its dealings with other countries.
But it seems that Google has found its backbone. Today Google announced it will stop censoring its search results on its Google.cn site. (Hat tip: Danny Sullivan.)
This change is because of cyber attacks on the gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists and their supporters in several countries. Google security technology managed to rebuff the attacks. Only two accounts were compromised and very little information was exposed.
David Drummond, SVP, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, writes:
Foremski's Take: Wow. This is excellent news. Google's compromise of its normally strong position in regard to Internet censorship was a troubling anomaly in China. It appeared that its commercial interests were more important than its stated ideological position.
What would it lose if it had to pull out of China? It's not the leading search engine but it has made progress. However, last year it lost its head of China operations, Kai-Fu Lee. I interviewed him here: GOOG's Kai-Fu Lee Becomes China's Archangel Investor
China could find itself increasingly isolated. Back in January of 2006 I asked: "What if Chinese Internet users were banned from US access?" If there is value to being able to access the global Internet then would limiting access for Chinese Internet users help remove or reduce Internet censorship in China?
China's government however, is unlikely to view the Internet in this way. It sees the Internet as a media technology that distributes alternate views to that of its own. An isolated China is a concept that is a familiar one in its history and culture.
An isolated China might make its government less paranoid but it has not been a successful strategy. China fell behind in key technologies and became easily exploited by foreign powers for several hundred years until the mid-20th century.
Is this the start of China's Internet isolationist policy?
- - -
Please see:
Google Just Says No To China: Ending Censorship, Due To Gmail Attack
RConversation: U.S. and China on Internet freedom vs. security
RConversation: China tightens Internet controls in the name of fighting porn, piracy, and cybercrime
What if Chinese internet users were banned from US access? - SVW
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Posted to ChinaWatch
January 12, 2010 | Permalink | Comment | Subscribe to SVW
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Comments (6)
I agree, this is great news. However, I can't help but wonder if this is more about them being worried about what the next hack will do. The last one obviously gave them quite a scare... Are they standing up to the bully (China) or running from its accomplicies (the hackers)?
Posted: January 12, 2010 4:21 PM
James: You can't run away on the Internet. Google would still be a target for hackers trying to uncover information about human rights activists in or outside of China. The test here is if GOOG provides a valuable service, and one that would disadvantage Chinese Internet users if it were gone.
Posted: January 12, 2010 4:56 PM
Tom, I normally admire your level-headed take on matters, but you need to breathe into a paper bag for a few minutes. You're hyperventilating.
Google has invested a lot of PR apologias to support their previous lickspittle acquiescence to Chinese controls. It may have been despicable but, as they are a public company, perfectly in line with their fiduciary responsibilities to grow revenue in the largest market in the world. This new policy is not. There's more here than a Road to Damascus conversion to the virtues of freedom. Maybe someone at the WSJ will figure it out.
As for China being isolated by this or any other internet company - please. Chinese history is a long story of self-imposed isolation. They fear nothing from Google.
Posted: January 12, 2010 5:49 PM
I firmly stand on Google side. Actually it exposes the real China to the world, behind the fireworks show in 2008 Olympic games.
Posted: January 12, 2010 6:10 PM
Sprague: I agree. There is far more here than at first meets the eye. Google has had many opportunities in the past to take a stand, it could have chosen from a host of good reasons. Also, since its technologies ably thwarted attacks by Chinese hackers, it could remain in China confident of protecting its users.
Posted: January 13, 2010 12:18 PM
Google is in a fix, China is too large a market to boycott/ignore, on the other hand Google has to hold on to its ethics. Whatever Google does one thing is for sure Chinese love google as we all do.
Watch this video of how Chinese Google lovers express their love http://www.videocrux.com/video/18569/Chinese-net-users-mourn-at-Google-HQ
Posted: January 21, 2010 10:58 PM