Loading
-
Google China Redirected to Uncensored HK Site
Techtree News Staff, Mar 23, 2010 1410 hrs ISTGoogle nixes self-censorship with its China Search services in a legal way
The long running censorship war between Google and the Chinese government has taken an expected turn. Google has stopped censoring results Search, News and Images services on its Google.cn domain. If you try visiting Google.cn, you'll be redirected to Google.com.hk site (with servers located in Hong Kong). The search giant's intention to stop self-censorship on Google.cn and pull out operations from China was reported earlier this month.
Google has pointed out that the Chinese govt. has always been crystal clear that self-censorship is a "non-negotiable legal requirement". Hence, Google has chosen a 'legal' way out by offering uncensored results. Google, in an official blogpost said, "...we intend to continue R&D work in China and also to maintain a sales presence there, though the size of the sales team will obviously be partially dependent on the ability of mainland Chinese users to access Google.com.hk."
Last year, Google Suggest was disabled in Google China search results for lewd content concerns. Then, Google and many other Internet companies were struck with hack attack in mid-December. After these hack attacks which allegedly originated from China, Google threatened the Chinese govt. that it will close its Google China operations.
Now, a new web page that offers information about Google Apps services available in China. Google said it is aware that Chinese govt. may block access to Google services anytime. The Internet search giant also makes it clear that this decision has been taken by its U.S. executives and neither of its China based employees would be responsible for it.
This is a bold step by Google and might win the company some brownie points from Free Speech advocates. The Chinese govt. is most likely to block access to the Google.com.hk search results and this issue has the potential to escalate further. It's surely an unpleasant news for several students and other organizations that depend on Google Search results.
Google has pointed out that the Chinese govt. has always been crystal clear that self-censorship is a "non-negotiable legal requirement". Hence, Google has chosen a 'legal' way out by offering uncensored results. Google, in an official blogpost said, "...we intend to continue R&D work in China and also to maintain a sales presence there, though the size of the sales team will obviously be partially dependent on the ability of mainland Chinese users to access Google.com.hk."
Last year, Google Suggest was disabled in Google China search results for lewd content concerns. Then, Google and many other Internet companies were struck with hack attack in mid-December. After these hack attacks which allegedly originated from China, Google threatened the Chinese govt. that it will close its Google China operations.
Now, a new web page that offers information about Google Apps services available in China. Google said it is aware that Chinese govt. may block access to Google services anytime. The Internet search giant also makes it clear that this decision has been taken by its U.S. executives and neither of its China based employees would be responsible for it.
This is a bold step by Google and might win the company some brownie points from Free Speech advocates. The Chinese govt. is most likely to block access to the Google.com.hk search results and this issue has the potential to escalate further. It's surely an unpleasant news for several students and other organizations that depend on Google Search results.
Related Links
Tag keywords
Opinion Poll
- Which desktop web browser do you use?
-
Internet Explorer
Firefox
Chrome
Safari
Opera
Other (specify in comments)
Poll Results View Previous Polls