Google's future in China in doubt by Barbora Misakova

American company Google, a big potential “fighter” for human rights in China finally gave it up. Democracy was defeated by capitalism. And China is riding high now. The story which had such a promising beginning ended up very quickly and shamefully – but this time for Google. In the early 2010 Google informed that its google.cn was censored by Chinese government and so they decided to operate in this communist country indirectly by automatic redirecting Chinese users to an uncensored site in Hong Kong. Everyone knew this way of “cooperation” couldn’t last forever, but probably no one expects this quick end. Government license for Google C! ompany expires today, what means that Google has to stop an automatic redirect to its Hong Kong site. “It is clear from conversations we have had with Chinese government officials that they find the redirect unacceptable – and that if we continue redirecting users, our Internet Content Provider license will not be renewed.” said Google’s chief legal officer David Drummond. As it is seen, China has confirmed its position of world power again and there is no other choice for Google. Google will either agree with terms of Chinese government or will have to leave China. But we all know that leaving country with the world’s largest online population at 404 million is too difficult if not impossible. That is why Google decided to “end the redirect entirely”. Google’s ICP license is coming up for renewal today, and the Internet giant has re-submitted its application based on what it called a “new approach”. As Drummond sa! id: “This new approach is consistent with our commitment! not to self-censor and, we believe, with local law.”

related story (sgx17735): http://www.france24.com/en/20100629-google-end-automatic-rer...

by Barbora Misakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.