Originally published February 23 2006
Google defends decision to censor web sites Chinese government doesn't want people to see
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Google is defending its decision to agree to censor some of its internet search results in China at the request of the government, arguing it's better for Chinese users to have access to some information through Google, rather than none at all, which was the case in the past when Google was off-limits altogether in China.
Saying that providing some information is better than providing no information, Google Inc. today defended its decision to cooperate with China's demand to censor some Web search results.
The company agreed to block some sites that cover human rights, Tibet and other topics Beijing doesn't want the citizens of this communist nation to research.
Google.cn will "provide meaningful benefits to Chinese Internet users," said Google senior policy counsel Andrew McLaughlin, referring to the company's new China site.
Technology experts suspected that the Chinese government blocked it.
"While removing search results inconsistent with Google's mission," McLaughlin said in a statement, "providing no information --- or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information --- is more inconsistent with our mission."
The controversy over Google's decision underscores the ongoing tensions between Internet tools that increase computer users' access to information and the efforts of totalitarian and repressive regimes around the world to limit that access.
Google is currently resisting a U.S. Justice Department subpoena that seeks data from search results related to child pornography.
Nearly 20,000 Web sites available in the United States became unavailable in China, according to a 2002 study by Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
Today a search on Google.com for "Falun Gong," a spiritual movement banned by the Chinese government, returned a Web site run by followers of the sect.
"As we develop a greater understanding of the Chinese market, we intend to add more products and services," Google's McLaughlin said.
"When a search engine collaborates with the government like this, it makes it much easier for the Chinese government to control what is being said on the Internet," said Julien Pain, head of the group's Internet desk.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml