Do know evil: Google submits to China’s demand for censorship

Published on January 25th, 2006

Associated Press – Jan 24 2006:

Online search engine leader Google Inc. has agreed to censor its results in China, adhering to the country’s free-speech restrictions in return for better access in the Internet’s fastest growing market.

Because of government barriers set up to suppress information, Google’s China users previously have been blocked from using the search engine or encountered lengthy delays in response time. The service troubles have frustrated many Chinese users, hobbling Google’s efforts to expand its market share in a country that expected to emerge as an Internet gold mine over the next decade.

Google is cooperating with China’s government at the same time it is battling the U.S. government over a subpoena seeking a breakdown of one week’s worth of search requests _ a list that would cover millions of terms.

12 users responded in " Do know evil: Google submits to China’s demand for censorship "

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# 1 Brady J. Frey said, on January 25th, 2006 at 11:17 am

I’m cancelling my google account today. Don’t be evil.

# 2 RTaylor said, on January 25th, 2006 at 12:23 pm

The Chinese Government doesn’t guarantee free speech, and lately it’s getting touchy in the US. Like the system or not, it’s their system. What would total exclusion accomplish? China is changing, but it will happen very slowly, as it should. Fast change, also known as revolution, just makes for suffering and blood shed.

# 3 Brady J. Frey said, on January 25th, 2006 at 1:56 pm

Yes, but google has this landmark path in front of them to say they will not taint the discovery of information… and they don’t. Regardless what China’s position is, they do not have to abide by it. Google could just go on doing what they do, and let China choose to block them or not.

Siphoning this information leads us to question what else is being filtered — and proves that Google isn’t as strong as we may have thought. China is a big piece of the pie, but not worth grabbing your ankles for.

# 4 Smith said, on January 25th, 2006 at 4:14 pm

This actually underscores my skepticism over China surpassing the US as an economic superpower. How can any country, regardless of population size, lead in the development of new research and technology if the exchange of ideas and information is stifled through censorship?

# 5 Pat said, on January 25th, 2006 at 4:34 pm

Brady

Good idea. What will you replace it with? Micro$oft or Yahoo, both of whom have already agreed to allow Chinese censorship?

While in a nice world it would be great if Google took a noble stand and stood up to the Chinese government. But life doesn’t always come up roses and ya just gotta play the hand you’re dealt.

Google will not allow searchers to go to the web site, but that site will be displayed in the results and a notice that the site is banned will be posted. Perfect? Of course not. Better then not showing or displaying any results? Yes.

Keep it in mind that Google makes its money from advertisers. If they are not allowed into the Chinese market then they miss out on their primary purpose in life, selling advertising. The search engine is just the vehicle they use to attract the advertisers.

# 6 Brady J. Frey said, on January 25th, 2006 at 5:06 pm

Pat — my own server — google mail was growing dated regardless. Install Roudcube Webmail, have your own featureset.

# 7 Dr. Fussbudget said, on January 25th, 2006 at 10:32 pm

The Greed Engine rules, as usual…

Ah, but the Chinese people are just like the rest of us underneath it all. Of course, Confucianism is in many ways a very civilized and useful ethic to build a society on. And yes, they have a history of being beholden to authority and all that, which is their prerogative and ultimately their own business. History tells that they’re not a vainglorius and acquisitive warlike culture (uh, exept for Tibet maybe…).

But what about that Wizard behind the curtain telling us not to pay attention to what he’s doing? Is it all just a harmless charade that less gullible individuals among them (and also those of us like that in the West) must tolerate forever? Someday we may see if they have any real ultimate power to eventually make everybody go along with this sort of behavior, or else just peter out under the scrutiny of simple ridicule from their fellow Earthlings.

Maybe it will go the way of artifacts like the Great Wall… an example of curious past folly for future tourists and historians to study and wonder about.

# 8 A Hoosier said, on January 26th, 2006 at 4:12 am

Brady

RoundCube is an Email Client. It does not search the web to find subjects. I am happy using Thunderbird though I will keep RoundCube in mind in case I end up not liking T-Bird.

The Server you linked to appears to be a web page design company. Again, I can’t search the web for subjects I want more info on.

At issue is the Google Search Engine being allowed to operate in China. Google e-mail or froogle or their images have nothing to do with this. I imagine the news summary page may take a hit with the Chinese censers.

As I mentioned above, Google makes its money selling advertising space. Maybe we don’t like advertising, but that is what supports the FREE search engine that currently holds 60% of the market share. And if you don’t use Google, then what search engine will you use. The main competitors, Yahoo and Micr$oft have already agreed to Chinese censorship. The other competitors are mostly fringe programs for specific markets or charge a fee.

# 9 Geoffrey Knobl said, on January 26th, 2006 at 7:39 am

Well, to restate the obvious, Google isn’t interested in what’s right, despite their recent public argument with the fascist Bush administration, but rather, what makes us a profit.

Someone running Google missed a class or two in business ethics. Or never took it. Or took one from Bu$hco.

# 10 Brady J. Frey said, on January 27th, 2006 at 8:32 am

Well I did have a followup, but looks like it wasn’t posted within 24 hours — did I offend the management?

In short, the point I made — I have my own jabber server, mail, webmail, and statstics now — the end goal is not to boycott google, but to limit my usage of them because of my disappointment. I have no interest in fully moving away from their search, though I’ll make an effort — but a good first step towards weening has been made; and it never would have, save this event. Thanks Google!

# 11 site admin said, on January 27th, 2006 at 9:50 am

Offend the management? Har!

I’m guessing the post appeared to someone as if it was spam. There are a lot of posts that are a weird new form of spam and get deleted pretty fast.

# 12 slammy said, on June 7th, 2006 at 7:56 am

Google is evil, it is for that, that it is so good !

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