Posted on 01/31/2006 1:05:43 PM PST by WaterDragon
So Google is cooperating with the Chinese, and there's been a firestorm of criticism. The Times of London observes:
“Until now, Chinese net users who were blocked from accessing a site knew that the information was there and was being kept from them by their own government. From now on it is Google which will be keeping data from them, in direct contradiction of its own declared mission ‘to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful’.
“The reaction to Google's move has been highly critical. The watchdog organisation Reporters Without Borders called it ‘a black day for freedom of expression in China’, adding that ‘Google's statements about respecting online privacy are the height of hypocrisy in view of its strategy in China’. It seemed that the company's real motto was something more along the lines of ‘don't be evil unless the Chinese government asks you to and there's serious money in it.’”
In taking this approach, Google doesn't distinguish itself much from other big American companies -- Microsoft, Cisco, Yahoo!, etc. -- that have cooperated with the Chinese. (Arguably, its behavior here is somewhat "less evil.") It's a big market, offering over a billion customers, and the Chinese government itself is a big purchaser. Why make them mad? How many people, besides a few human-rights types, will care that according to the Chinese Google, that Tiananmen Square never happened? And how much money do they spend on IT?
There's also a not-entirely-bogus counterargument, that Chinese citizens with access to a censored Google are still more powerful, relative to their government, than Chinese citizens with no Google at all. Though this claim seems a bit, er, convenient, it may still have a grain of truth to it.......[more]
No it's still the Chinese government blocking access to that site. Google is just complying with their laws. Google doesn't have an option of not complying with their laws. They can comply, or they can lose the ability to offer services there. Google losing the ability to offer services in China doesn't help the Chinese people.
One of many reasons to despise the organization.
Cooperationg with chinese dictatos is OK.
In China, Google is following the laws there. If they do not follow the law, they lose the ability to offer services there.
If that happens, the Chinese people lose access to more information, or they get that information from another source that does work within the Chinese laws. Google has no real ability to make the Chinese government change their laws.
In the US Google is disagreeing that the request is legal and fighting it in court. If they lose the court battle they will be forced to follow the law.
I read Google's statement and understand their decision. However it turns out that misspelling censored subjects in Google China will get you the info you want. The example I read was "Tiananmen" getting you peaceful photos, while "Tienanmen" gets you the tank shots.
Google pulling a fast one on China?
“The reaction to Google's move has been highly critical. The watchdog organisation Reporters Without Borders called it ‘a black day for freedom of expression in China’, adding that ‘Google's statements about respecting online privacy are the height of hypocrisy in view of its strategy in China’. It seemed that the company's real motto was something more along the lines of ‘don't be evil unless the Chinese government asks you to and there's serious money in it.’”
You mean...they go for the money? My world view has been shattered once again. I thought they were so honorable...
example I read was "Tiananmen" getting you peaceful photos, while "Tienanmen" gets you the tank shots.
Google pulling a fast one on China?
till ou opened you big mouth...
Well, until CNN did. :)
One thing most people forget, in this country you can actually take a stand against your own government.
I have been using www.clusty.com for all my searches. I like it better and according to Sunbelt (Counterspy) they do not track or keep records on you. Give it a try.
Google loves its money more than it loves freedom. It will cooperate with the most brutal murderers if there is a buck in it.
What a bunch of slimebags.
Thanks! I will.
And now Yahoo has caused ANOTHER Chinese man to be jailed Matt Drudge just said tonight.
Walmart cooperates with the Chinese more than Google imho.
"Walmart cooperates with the Chinese more than Google imho."
I'm afraid they all do. Call your rep. & tell him/her that free trade should be for free countries only.
It's getting so that no matter where you shop, you can't buy much that isn't made in China.
Check out your computer.
"I have been using www.clusty.com for all my searches. I like it better and according to Sunbelt (Counterspy) they do not track or keep records on you. Give it a try."
I just checked it out, and found what I was looking for right away.
THANKS!
Made in Taiwan, the country that this administration refuses to backup because lining the pockets of fat cat free traders is more important than freedom.
Try the link below for Made in USA stuff. Some of them make some products in USA, and some in other countries, so check to make sure it's not Made in China.
http://2005.wgy.com/pages/madeinusa.html
Also,
Shopping.com
Enter made in the USA in the space "What are you shopping for"?
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