Here is exactly what Google stated:
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 recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
Google is not leaving China. At least not yet.
Look at what was actually said:
1) Google is not willing want to censor, so Google will 2) engage in discussion with the Chinese government and, 3) in order to operate an uncensored search engine within the law.
Law is the key word here. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Wu, stated:
China welcomes international Internet companies to conduct business within the country according to law
The question is, what law says that Google cannot index the web site of the BBC news? Anyone know?
In 2006 when Google started censoring google.cn in China I asked:
What specific law or court order is being complied with in China?
It is 2010, still no answer.
I think it is a reasonable question for Google to ask.
Thanks for continuing to be a voice of reason on all this!
ReplyDeleteGoogle has offered staff in its Beijing office a redundancy settlement at one year's salary for every year worked, plus an extra two years for good measure. THey're closing the office, that's certain.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, while physically leaving China, they're still sure to run a Chinese language version of Google, and continue to index in Chinese, so they're not leaving in spirit.
Agree on the law point, as censorship is an extremely shaky concept in Chinese law. Also, the remarks Jiang Wu also included the statement that hacking is illegal in China; the CPC are not subject to Chinese law, they're extra-judicial.
I did enjoy this recent post by Rebecca MacKinnon http://rconversation.blogs.com/rconversation/2010/01/google-china-and-the-future-of-freedom-on-the-global-internet.html
[...] | Obama Deception | Endgame | MïñЧ È¥ê †v … Posted by iamthatiam at 14:53 Nart Villeneuve — Decrypting the Google statement We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so [...]
ReplyDeleteI think it's a very reasonable question for Google to ask... I just can't see the Chinese government answering it!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be interesting to see how long the Chinese government can get away with ad hoc pronouncements of rules rather than legal process to create laws.
[...] Nart Villeneuve — Decrypting the Google statement [...]
ReplyDeleteI feel good about the decision taken by Google to stop cencoring the search results. Afterall, how long the Chinese government wishes to play the moral guardian of majorty of the population. I think, the Chinese population for once should get a chance to grow up and decide for themsleves which search result they want and which is irrelevant to them.
ReplyDelete