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Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

theintercept.com

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Re: Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

#21

Post by Kliment »

jarfil wrote: post #9
mtgx wrote: post #4

First the military drones, now getting in bed with China, and the law straw was removing almost every mention of "Don't be evil" from its workers' code of conduct manual. I think it's pretty clear at this point Google is willing to sell their own mothers (and your data) just to keep those profitable quarters up for many more years. As more advertisers start preferring Facebook, I think Google will become even more de…

> keep those profitable quarters Isn't it actually illegal for publicly traded companies to do otherwise?

absolutely not, but the shareholders can stage a rebellion if the company keeps going in a direction they don't want it to. The standard examples here are companies that lose money or make minimal profits due to investing revenue into product development or growth. This is something shareholders are often okay with.

Re: Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

#23

Post by bdammeir »

As a former Google employee myself, I have a really hard time connecting these actions with the company I used to be very proud of working for.

I understand that reaching the Chinese consumer is a huge opportunity, but drawing the line at refusing to assist in the censorship of 1.4 billion people seemed like an easy line to draw and stick to. If Google won't stand against this, won't the rest tumble? I fear a domino affect that won't be possible to undo.

For the first time in a long time, I am genuinely disappointing at Google and am questioning thoughts I've had in the past of going back to work for them again.

Re: Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

#27

Post by andybak »

cromwellian wrote: post #14

There seems to be a hypocrisy with people upset about censorship on behalf of China, but don’t seem all that upset about censorship on behalf of the EU (eg RTBF) or censorship when it supports their politics (eg hate speech) I don’t support this theoretical move, but asserting Google should pull out/stay out of China and not obey/comply with local laws, and yet argue that the EU local laws should have global reach se…

> censorship when it supports their politics (eg hate speech)

It's not hypocrisy per se. We all agree that there are some limits to free speech (the classic "shouting fire in a crowded theater" springs to mind but feel free to substitute your own impossible-to-disagree-with example).

Hypocrisy would imply there's an absolute principle at stake ("absolute free speech" vs "reasonable level of censorship") but nobody truly believes the former so we are all simply disagreeing about "reasonable" in the latter.

Re: Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

#28

Post by jand »

spicyusername wrote: post #2

We'll, that feels pretty wrong...

> We'll, that feels pretty wrong...

... to persons who value moral higher than shareholder value. Advertisers will mostly be happy to enter previously untapped markets.

It is cold, but why should Google care? The times when an publicity stunt like "dont't be evil" was required to establish a big user base are over.

If it would in any way raise the revenue of google, i assume google would instantly proclaim another "don't be a dick" COC.

Re: Google Plans to Launch Censored Search Engine in China, Leaked Documents Reveal

#30

Post by manigandham »

jarfil wrote: post #9
mtgx wrote: post #4

First the military drones, now getting in bed with China, and the law straw was removing almost every mention of "Don't be evil" from its workers' code of conduct manual. I think it's pretty clear at this point Google is willing to sell their own mothers (and your data) just to keep those profitable quarters up for many more years. As more advertisers start preferring Facebook, I think Google will become even more de…

> keep those profitable quarters Isn't it actually illegal for publicly traded companies to do otherwise?

Illegal? No. The principle is "best interests of shareholders" but that has never meant only profits, especially if the costs of those profits do material damage to the world those shareholders live in, in which case it's not in the best interests.
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