I find the latest headlines regarding internet giant Google somewhat ironic: the censoring of search results in China and the denial of information requested from the US government. First of all let me say that I am not making a statement of support of the government's request, but I am somewhat troubled by Google's priorities. In an effort to reach into the booming Chinese economy, Google is bowing down to the communist government that rules. The Chinese government has requested that Google censor certain search results within the country that might not be pleasing to their agenda. I think that it is morally wrong to encourage the denial of human rights in exchange for market share and profit. Google should have never gave into the pressure from that government. They didn't even put up a fight or an argument; they easily gave in and fulfilled the requested censors. Talk about a step towards improvements in human rights! In other news, Google has recently denied a request of information from the US government. They wanted the info in an effort to help shield children from online pornography. Google asserted that turning over the information would undermine the public's trust in their services and expose trade secrets. Is it just me, or do you find it funny? Google will do anything to please the communist regime of China but will not lift a finger to help our own government. How can you work so hard to protect the rights in one country and not the other? What makes Google think that it can selectively pick its corporate moral based on the country they are in? If you are going to protect human rights in America, you aught to have the same standards in other countries (China or elsewhere). Google said that giving information to the US government would hinder the public's trust in their company; I've got news for Google: you have already breached our trust by giving into the demands of a violator of human rights. (story here)
filed under: business, thoughts
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