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The Man Who's Beating Google

33 points| raju | 16 years ago |forbes.com | reply

27 comments

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[+] yesimahuman|16 years ago|reply
Honestly, it makes me sick that Google/Microsoft/Yahoo play along with Chinese censorship. I always feel like companies have at least a bit of moral obligation to do right with what they achieve. I know China is a gigantic market, but I would hope there are people out there who want to make a difference in the world. Maybe they have to play along in order to make change, I don't know.

Google blocks results for one-third fewer search terms than Baidu

Baidu sounds like the perfect match for China.

[+] zaidf|16 years ago|reply
I think it's wrong to expect corporations to have more moral obligation than my own government.
[+] jacquesm|16 years ago|reply
Agreed. I was willing to buy the 'do no evil' line for a while but after the tianmen square issue I changed it to 'business as usual'.
[+] tedunangst|16 years ago|reply
How are companies supposed to do business in a country that won't let them? When China says "Sorry, you broke our laws, we're confiscating all your assets here.", what is Google going to do?

Are you equally sickened that Google doesn't do business in Cuba?

[+] dhimes|16 years ago|reply
Maybe they have to play along in order to make change

I think this is often the case.

[+] nazgulnarsil|16 years ago|reply
maybe google thinks that economic investment will do more social good in china than just ignoring the market.
[+] acg|16 years ago|reply
One thing that is clear isolating China, or not doing business with the Chinese because you have different principles isn't going to change anything. What seems to have influenced China most is trade. These companies are better off in China, than outside: then at least they can attempt to influence policy.

There is a difference between showing dislike for operating practices and either breaking the law, or pulling out entirely. No doubt there are profits, but we have seen in the West how the internet can change government. The technology is not going away and as such gives me great hope in the future, even in closed states.

[+] xiaoma|16 years ago|reply
It's only fair to point out that Google/Microsoft/Yahoo also play along with European censorship. Part of doing business is abiding by the law of the country you operate in.
[+] 1010011010|16 years ago|reply
Nothing like having the support of the government and a national firewall to block your competitors.