It looks like there may be trouble in paradise. The relationship between Google and China seems to have hit a speed bump and may completely disintegrate altogether. China’s communist views are the heart of the issue. A country reputed for dictating to and oppressing its people, China values censorship over free speech and control over human rights. This not only doesn’t sit well with most Americans; it’s become a thorn in Google’s side.
Google Takes a Stand
In the aftermath of an investigation due to hacking and snooping by the Chinese government, Google is responding to China’s demand that the search engine filter and remove links they find to be offensive or against their agenda. Basically, the Chinese government wants to call the shots and wants to keep it’s citizens reliant on and believing in them without the influence of outside sources that will bring doubt into their minds and make them see the light.
Too bad for China. They’re looking in the wrong direction if they want help from America, let alone one of America’s biggest corporations, to achieve their quest for turning people from human beings into robots with little thought of their own. Americans won’t stand for it, and neither will Google.
A Question of Human Rights
In a country like the U.S, where human rights and freedom of speech are viewed as the most valued of ideals, it’s appalling to see what China is doing. It’s nearly beyond comprehension to imagine living in a place where every thought and action is not owned by the individual, but by the government, under the guise of “what’s best for the people.” Let that happen in America, and our government would have a case of mass hysteria on it’s hands. It just wouldn’t fly here.
That’s probably why Google has vowed to stop censoring search results in China and is now threatening to pull out of the country altogether. Google is still considering their next move and is still upset by what they see as a threat to the company. This is a situation that is not likely to end with happy faces all around. China is sure to lose.
It seems that the Chinese government has become accustomed to success and has taken it for granted for far too long. In a day and age where technology means everything and Google is leading the way all over the world, how will this affect China? Not having the support of Google or access to the company’s products is sure to have some impact on China, it’s government and the function of commerce.
The Future of China
While it’s sad to see a country so lost in an oppressive way of thinking they call progress and a real shame to see them lose a valuable tool of technology, the Chinese government only has themselves to blame. Google’s not at fault. Their an American company sticking to American values. Kudos to them! Still, the whole situation leaves one to ponder what the future might bring for China.
Will losing Google now open their eyes and eventually lead to their adopting of a more progressive and people-centered government? Will they someday follow the example America has set before them? Only time will tell. For now, China will simply have to live with the consequences of their actions.
March 12th, 2010 at 5:00 am
Hey. Thanks for this post. I cruise alot of blogs just to see what I can find. I liked this write up you did and was just wondering if you have a subscriber page so I can link to it so I can read it at a later date? I did not see one – am I just overlooking it?
Jack
March 12th, 2010 at 8:25 am
It’s good to see that Google has finally taken a stand… It should have done it long back.
March 12th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Whenever I read another censorship story from China I stop and thank God I live in a country where we are free to read, write, watch and listen to whatever we chose. I agree with you-kudos to Google!