Internet censorship

[scaeagles]

There was some anger (understandable, though I didn't share in it) regarding the feds wanting access to search engine records from Yahoo and Google, etc.

I find it interesting that Google, so outraged by the government attempt to access these records, has struck a deal with China to restrict access to sites and searches critical of China or on topics that the Chinese government regards as objectionable.

I do see a difference between the two governments, certainly. The argument against the feds accessing the records is most certainly sound. However, for a company whose motto is "don't be evil", I find it ironic that they are willingly participating in government censorship anywhere.

I find the justification to be lame at best. "The chinese will have more access to information" goes the company line. Who the hell cares if they can read about carrot farming, but are not allowed to read dissenting opinions to that of the official government line?

I believe this to be a strictly monetary position. I'm all for the almighty dollar and improving ones bottom line, but this does seem to me to be an extremely hypocritical thing to do. This is not in line with their own motto of "do no evil".

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/01/25/D8FBONMG7.html