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Monday, March 22, 2010

Teh Internets / International Wow. They Actually Did It

Posted by Grant Brissey on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 1:52 PM

Just over two months after threatening to leave China because of censorship and intrusions by Chinese hackers, Google said Monday that it is closing its China-based Internet search service and instead directing Chinese users to a Hong Kong-based uncensored version of its search engine, which may get blocked in mainland China. [...]

The stunning move represents a powerful slap at Beijing regulators but also a risky ploy in which Google — one of the world’s technology powerhouses — will essentially turn its back on the world’s largest Internet market, with nearly 400 million Web users and growing quickly.

Good for them.

Comments (9) RSS

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This deserves praises. I can't believe they had the courage to do this. Some things are still more important than money. Like freedom.

Posted by Vince on March 22, 2010 at 1:59 PM

Yep, way to go Google.

Posted by Hydnum on March 22, 2010 at 2:01 PM

Those stupid Chinese will be sure to come to their senses after this.

Seriously, good for Google. Fuck the Chinese.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on March 22, 2010 at 2:07 PM

Now we wait to see if Yahoo grows a pair.

There's some good Chinese Dim Sum at that new place in Wallngford on N 50th ...

Posted by Will in Seattle

on March 22, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Alternatively, I've heard it said that google was losing a lot of money in China and this was a convenient excuse to cut their losses rather than a principled stand. I don't know either way, just throwing that out in case anyone else knows more.

Posted by Amnt on March 22, 2010 at 2:59 PM

I wonder if the fine folks behind Bing will have the same moral certitude in the face of a market that potentially lucrative. My guess is no.

Posted by eric (the other one) on March 22, 2010 at 3:15 PM

and your guess is correct.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on March 22, 2010 at 4:31 PM

@5 Spending on online advertising in China is tiny compared to in the US: $1 billion/year vs. $22 billion/year. I wouldn't be surprised that it's hard to make a profit selling ads there.

Posted by Free Lunch on March 22, 2010 at 5:36 PM

hooray!

Also blah blah blah shareholders blah blah blah

Posted by fitorz on March 22, 2010 at 9:05 PM