Profit is good. Say it ’til you believe it.
April 13th, 2006Google has come under criticism for cooperating with government censors in China as a condition for conducting business there. The newly introduced watered-down version of Google filters out search results for such search terms as “Tibet” and “democracy.” While unfortunate, the people of China are far better off with a censored Google than no Google at all.
It would be wonderful if censorship ceased to exist in China tomorrow; however, it is not Google’s responsibility to lobby the Chinese government to change its laws. Google’s first obligation is to the investors who fund its operations and not to the individuals living in oppressive regimes.
Further, I think it is likely that agitators for democracy will be inspired to close the gap between real Google and Google “lite”; Google’s presence itself may serve as a catalyst to this end. So while entry into a vast, lucrative market is justification enough for Google to adapt to China’s rules, the company’s critics should fault China’s Communist party for its censorship rather than Google.