The Google-China row took a fresh twist today with Google announcing on its blog a change to its China policy:
So earlier today we stopped censoring our search servicesâ??Google Search, Google News, and Google Imagesâ??on Google.cn. Users visiting Google.cn are now being redirected to Google.com.hk, where we are offering uncensored search in simplified Chinese, specifically designed for users in mainland China and delivered via our servers in Hong Kong. Users in Hong Kong will continue to receive their existing uncensored, traditional Chinese service, also from Google.com.hk.......In terms of Google's wider business operations, 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.
The NY Times interviews co-founder Sergey Brin who says that negotiating with the Chinese didn't produce much clarity. In a related Times news story, the Miguel Helft and David Barboza write:
The stunning move represents a powerful slap at Beijing regulators but also a risky ploy in which Google â?? one of the worldâ??s technology powerhouses â?? will essentially turn its back on the worldâ??s largest Internet market, with nearly 400 million Web users and growing quickly.
It remains to be seen how China will react, but Evgeny Morozov notes that while Google is backing away from China, Chinese tech firms are quietly going global.
(AP Photo)
