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Latest update: 16/03/2010
- censorship - China - Google - Internet
Google rolls back self-censorship in China
Automatic transcript
Tiananmen along with three today as one of two search keywords uncle now is censored on Google Topsy and many Internet giant is finally delivered on its threats following the cyber attack it fell victim to in January -- David warned of its cease filtering online searches for the moment there's been no response from Google -- but China's Ministry of Commerce -- requested the company to obey Chinese low when she Waugh we see that Google will respect the mill -- she will we know if they want to continue operating in China they will he hoped it would it seems do that are trying to wreck some conflict before coasting loose -- rumors have been abandoned at the company is preparing to leave the Chinese markets -- last week's financial Times said the closure of Google's China operation was ninety nine percent certain and the Chinese authorities look like they're preparing for the imminent departure -- several web portals that use Google Earth said to have been told to find alternatives -- should the search engine cease filtering Chinese searches parts of that of Google searches account for thirty three percent of those Nathan Chinese on the Internet
Google has partially lifted its strict self-censorship in China, with several previously banned keywords – including "Tiananmen" – now accessible. The surprise move comes as the Internet search giant threatens to leave China.
By Sébastian SEIBT (text)
Websites containing the keywords “Tiananmen” and “Free Tibet”, previously censored on Google China, can now be accessed in an apparent partial lift of censorship by Google that threatens to arouse the wrath of the Chinese authorities.
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The search results displayed for these keywords – checked by FRANCE 24 – are even more surprising given Google’s announcement on Monday that it would continue negotiations with Beijing to stay in the country. Google.cn has not confirmed lifting the censorship.
Warning from Beijing
Google.cn is still filtering some of its content: searching the words “Free Tibet”, rather than switching the words around, still won’t get users anywhere. The site of the NGO Human Rights Watch, for example, is still blocked. But savvy Internet users who click on the second item in a page of search results for “Human Rights Watch”, will be linked to an uncensored Wikipedia page in English about the NGO.
This move by Google – if confirmed – comes just hours after Beijing’s latest warning to the Internet firm to watch its back. On Tuesday, a representative of China’s trade ministry remarked that “investing in China means respecting Chinese law” and asked Google, once again, to keep censoring its searches.
With the two sides already locked in a battle over Beijing’s strict Web controls, could this new freedom to click on “Tiananmen” and “Tibet Free” be something of a "fingers up" by Google at Beijing’s latest warning?
Parting shot?
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In January, the revelation that hackers had got into the Gmail (Google’s messaging service) accounts of Chinese human rights activists sparked an international outcry. Suspecting Beijing of being behind the cyberattacks, Google announced that it wanted to stop filtering its content in China, warning that it could leave the country altogether. This prompted a firm reminder from Beijing that all companies must work in accordance with Chinese laws. The row even strayed into diplomatic territory, with the US government stepping in to lend its support to Google.
Google has been trying to find a solution to the crisis for the last month. Last week, British daily the Financial Times reported that talks with Beijing had stalled. Sources close to the company say there is a “99 percent chance” that Google will pull out of China. If that were the case, this partial lift of censorship could well be its parting shot.
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censorship
I agree with Googles stance . In Australia the government is trying to impliment censoring the internet . Censorship is wrong . when people cannot gain knowledge and interact with new ideas and thoughts , we become stale in our thoughts and ideals.
I am living in hope that we have another renaissance world wide , I try and cover the fear I feel that censorship will defeat the ideal I have for that, it is not easy to live with a fear of a government intrusion.
Thoughts
Where I can somewhat relate to the Chinese government's position on strict control of the media thus avoiding anarchy, what it had allegedly done to Google (hacking, theft) isn't acceptable nor justified in any case. I agree, if Google is indeed intending to withdraw from .cn then it has every right to do what it said it would do - remove the Chinese government imposed censorship. The Chinese people will be alarmed by Google's departure causing its government to spin this action far, far from the actual truth.
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Où puis-je quelque peu se rapportent à la position du gouvernement chinois sur un strict contrôle des médias en évitant ainsi l'anarchie, ce qu'il aurait fait pour Google (piratage, le vol) n'est pas acceptable, ni justifier en aucun cas. Je suis d'accord, si Google est en effet l'intention de se retirer. Cn lors, il a parfaitement le droit de faire ce qu'il a dit qu'il ferait - Retirer le gouvernement chinois a imposé la censure. Le peuple chinois est alarmé par le départ de Google entraînant son gouvernement pour faire tourner cette action loin, loin de la vérité pure.