Google has announced a rather bold move today: It will no longer censor search results on Google.cn, the Chinese version of the search engine. Apparently they will maintain this stance, even if it ends in shutting down Google.cn.
According to a post on the Official Google Blog:
We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognise that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
While it remains to be seen how the Chinese government reacts to this move, I couldn’t be prouder of Google for making it. I hope that other major internet properties follow suit and that perhaps we’ll see an end of national filters and censorship. [Google Blog via Guardian]
johnny
January 13, 2010 at 10:53 AM
damn, means google gone from china for sure along with his bro youtube
Report PermalinkArt Nau
January 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM
+ 1 Google
Report Permalinkthere is only that much you can play along with stupidity of censorship
Simon
January 13, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Down with censorship!
Report PermalinkAre you listening Conroy?
Neil
January 13, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Well done Google, do no evil!
Report PermalinkWill
January 13, 2010 at 12:00 PM
youtube and facebook are both blocked in China anyway.
Report PermalinkSimon Potts
January 13, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Good work google! Now all we have to worry about is the Australian Gov.
Report Permalinkdavo1111
January 13, 2010 at 12:31 PM
hmm its interesting they’re going to stop censoring china, yet they still block a direct link to 4chan /b/
Report PermalinkAndy Rogers
January 13, 2010 at 2:44 PM
This doesn’t say they are “going to stop censoring china”. It says they will discuss the possibilities with the government. A fairly significant difference…
And if China is censoring their own historical events, why would they not block /b/?
Personally, I hope that the Chinese government step up and come to an agreement with Google. Otherwise, I hope Google lives up to their end.
Interesting times…
Report PermalinkDavo
January 13, 2010 at 11:28 PM
(you) “It will no longer censor search results on Google.cn” = (me) “going to stop censoring china” = (google)”We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, ”
try reading the text :)
Report PermalinkAndy Rogers
January 18, 2010 at 7:49 PM
I was saying that your assumption that Google WILL stop censoring China’s search results is premature. They are discussing, no decision has been made, as of yet.
Report PermalinkMike Anthony
January 13, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Google > China ftw!
Report PermalinkWilson Cheng
January 13, 2010 at 5:07 PM
To give you some perspective, I have read from news that Chinese uses http://www.baidu.com for their search. It says that 80% of Chinese characeter search is done on it instead of google.
To me,
1) Google just trying to find a good reason to sound their retreat gracefully.
2) I think the search giant would be able to continue their operation by only showing the title of the search result, without any except and cache. Then if the searcher trying to access it, it will be blocked by the Great Fire Wall of China anyway.
Report PermalinkNick
January 13, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Nice one, Google! Good to see a major international organisation taking a stance on such an issue.
If only they could put some pressure on Senator Conroy!
Nick.
Report PermalinkIvan
January 13, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Looks like it’s time to buy some shares in Yahoo!
Report Permalinkurl404
January 14, 2010 at 1:51 PM
So is Google going to back out of Australia as well when the great firewall of Australia is installed?
Report PermalinkTom
January 15, 2010 at 11:16 AM
It won’t happen, you think the speeds and quality of our internet is slow now, just lol @ the posibility of this with a extra firewall hop for everyone
Report PermalinkRobbie Spencer
January 14, 2010 at 10:54 PM
This is a truly HUGE move by Google! I’m so happy to see it. I’m sure they stand to lose ridiculous amounts of money over this. To stand up and say ‘enough is enough’, despite the consequences, sends such a strong message to the world. I hope more companies follow suit.
Report PermalinkDrunk Munki
January 21, 2010 at 2:19 PM
http://slashdot.org/submission/1154292/Google-Re-enabled-Chinese-Censorship
Google is back to censoring the world in china again
Report PermalinkFelasria Katinsky
March 9, 2010 at 1:02 PM
a corporation standing up for a civil right? yeah, this is a pretty big thing, and a big sign that google isn’t as mindless as siome other major corporations. your right there, Wilson, in that, yes, they may not be as big a deal in china. however, i also think that it is for this reason that it is important to take into account the boldness of this move. big in china or not, google is recognised world-wide, and to make a direct move AGAINST a major rising power such as china takes a lot of (pardon my french) nuts. it all realy depends on Google’s next move. if they follow through then they will lay down the path for many other internet browsing corporations and with a big company like google on teir side, they are MUCH more likely to make this switch. that said, however, if google back down… well, lets just say it wont exactly inspire courage into the hearts of other, less major corporations. furthermore, you can bet that if google goes down, china will be making sure such events do NOT reoccur… its now or never, and the next move decides.
summary (for all you lazy guys out there who don’t realy care for a rant):
google either got nuts or they aint and if they back down we are screwed and if they dont we are all saved (whoopy :P). either way, google doesn’t care :P if they back down in china then their rep wont b affected except in aus, and our internet is so slow that you will probably die or we will run out of energy before the damned thing actualy posts :P
much care
Report PermalinkKat