Google vs. China

To censor or not to censor

An official Google Blog stated that after detecting a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack" from the part of the Chinese, which was described as an attack to intellectual property, Google decided it is time to do something. The attack was directed to different international companies, but it also consisted of a breach into two e-mail accounts belonging to Chinese human rights activists


By ROXANA CIUPARIU (roxana.ciupariu@wavemagazine.net)
from Bucharest, ROMANIA


Attacks from the part of Chinese hackers (as Google expressed it), the increase concern of the Obama administration on the internet censorship, as well as other sabotage operations, considered the results of the Chinese government, made Google announce, on the 12th of January 2010, that it has taken more than it could and that it decided not to censor itself anymore. An official Google Blog stated that after detecting a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack" from the part of the Chinese, which was described as an attack to intellectual property, Google decided it is time to do something. The attack was directed to different international companies, but it also consisted of a breach into two e-mail accounts belonging to Chinese human rights activists.

This triggered criticism from the part of the Chinese government, although no concrete action has been taken so far, but raised appraisal from the part of the international media. DailyMail UK says this will lead to an action from the part of the Chinese government, based on Google's non-compliance with the law, which will probably lead to an ultimatum: censorship or withdrawal. On a happy note, Chinese people desiring full freedom of speech agree and support the decision of Google, many considering that its retreat from the market will affect their internet activities so far. In a country without democracy, Google stands as a good representation of everything that is denied, although, as some user describe it, "Google knows too much" and this is why it is dangerous to the Chinese government.

Background

China is internationally recognised and accused for the censorship imposed by its political regime over different means of communications, such as certain internet websites, networking and search engines. The government of the People's Republic of China has a strict policy on what its citizens can have access to and what they can't, according to the state laws. Hence, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, along with YouTube, are blocked in China.

Google, on the other hand, has a different policy. After a time of refusal to give up in order to attend the demands of the Chinese government, Google launched in 2006 google.cn as well as a building in China, by this expressing its support with the people that wanted it. But this also meant complying with the censorship policy when it comes to searching certain terms, such as Falun Gong, terms found on the "black list" of the Chinese government. Now, it seems that Google would like to put certain stops to this and, perhaps, try and reach an agreement with the Chinese government over the censorship policy - if this is possible.

The beginnings and the censorship

In 2006, BBC news announced that Google adhered to the Internet Censorship Policies of China, which meant that some results are filtered and that some searches, such as the ones on Falun Gong movement (a movement strictly prohibited in China, whose followers endure severe punishments by the Chinese government), as well as on the independent movement in Tibet are not to be shown. When those entries are searched, the page simply displays a message that says: "In accordance with local laws, regulations and policies, part of the search result is not shown". This attracted international disapproval from the US, mainly criticising the option and considering that, by doing this, Google simply gives up to the demands of the Chinese government, instead of truly fighting for the freedom of speech. In its official blog, Google senior policy counsellor, Andrew McLaughlin, declared that although services such as Gmail and Blogger will possibly be unavailable, this doesn't mean that it is a betrayal. This decision, as well as the opening of the Google building in China, are a compromise: not providing people 100% amount of necessary information is not very good and it doesn't go in accordance with Google policy of disseminating information, but at least it reaches those people that are open to receive information and is better than not being present at all. Presumably, the message focused on the hope that someday, things will change, and freedom of speech will value more in People's Republic of China.

What comes next?

This is the first time, as The Next Web.com stated, that a big US corporation stands up to Chinese policies regarding freedom of expression, and it for sure had taken the Chinese government by surprise, since even sources from the inside cannot declare for sure what will the government do. On the other hand, Google's Chinese personnel fear they will end up without a job, which contributes to the atmosphere on anxiety among the Chinese population.

The international media, however, has reasons to believe Google will not leave China that easily. Giving the financial potential it has in this country, as TheStreet.com presents, Google would most likely further remain in China, proving that it declares open to discuss with the Chinese government on running unfiltered searches, although this will most likely lead to a negative response. Google wishes to remain in China, as support for its users, and considers that, part of its continuous censorship, is also due to importance given to the Chinese search engine Baidu. The government continuously supports this search engine because is a national website, which goes totally in accordance with Chinese laws, hence it is easier to control it, and its users.

Whatever the outcome will be, the international voices have one more reason to criticise the censorship policy of the Chinese government and to continue fighting for human rights and freedom of speech in People's Republic of China.


(Published: 09.02.2010.)