Google Says Human Rights More Important Than Search

Google, who usually comes under fire from most 3rd party data privacy watchdogs, has been receiving praise from some of the most unusual opponents. “We’d now like to be one of the first to commend Google for its brave and forthright declaration to provide only an uncensored Chinese language version of its search engine,” says the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The EFF was a staunch supporter of the Congress’ recent consumer privacy legislation.

Google’s decision to abandon the China market is coming after information was stolen in a “highly sophisticated” hacking attempt on numerous Gmail accounts. Primarily from human rights activists.

For all of the strides China has made in the last decade to spur economic growth, mostly from the emergence of a growing middle class, human rights and the censorship of information will always be in the forefront of business talks involving the communist country.

Most people will remember President Obama’s trip to China in November, marked by a Town Hall meeting with a limited and selected audience….hand picked by Chinese authorities.

Even though Google is having to deal with China’s refusal to allow certain search results…this is nothing new for any online company trying to tap into this large and growing market….including Facebook and Twitter because of their political and social commentary. Here are some *recent actions taken by the Chinese government involving Internet regulation, including the 2008 Summer Olympics:

• Websites related to the persecuted Falun Gong spiritual practice
• News sources that often cover some taboo topics such as police brutality, Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, freedom of speech and democracy sites. These sites include Voice of America, BBC News, and Yahoo! Hong Kong
• Media sites which may include unregulated content, social commentary or political commentary censored by the PRC. The Chinese Wikipedia and LiveJournal are examples of such blocked sites.
• Sites hosted by Taiwan’s government and major newspaper and television media and other sites with information on Taiwanese independence
• Web sites that contain obscenity, pornography, and criminal activity.
• Sites linked with the Dalai Lama and his International Tibet Independence Movement, including his teachings.
• “Nine Commentaries” or the nine articles that were published by theepochtimes.com that comment on the Chinese Communist Party

After taking a look at the above actions, the major point China is missing, is that because of the potential reach they have for advertisers….business will keep knocking at the door. However, it will be up to them to answer the call to give basic rights of speech to all.

Including those in opposition.

We are waiting.