Google May Pull the Plug in China

BEIJING — According to reports, Google China may shut down if the Chinese government and the search engine fail to come to an agreement on censorship.

The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that Google would likely close operations because Chinese authorities wouldn’t change Internet censorship rules.

The Chinese government also warned Google business partners to prepare in case they can’t use Google services.

According to InformationWeek.com, Google said it would stop censoring its search results in China, after a hacking attack that targeted human rights activists.

The Chinese government warned Google’s search partners that they must comply with censorship laws and make other plans in case Google does stop censoring search results.

If Google services are shut down, business partners such as Sina.com.cn and Ganji.com that offer a Google-powered search box would have to find a different partner, or filter the search results themselves to comply with Chinese regulations.

At a March 2 hearing on Internet freedom in Washington, D.C., assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised Google for its decision to stop censoring search results in China.

Last week, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology warned Google that it will face consequences if it fails to obey Chinese laws.

Google is considering ways to maintain Chinese operations even if it shuts down the Google China search site.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt said a resolution to the situation is coming soon.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Trump Attempts to Distance Campaign From Porn-Criminalizing 'Project 2025'

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump issued a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday attempting to distance himself from the conservative initiative Project 2025, which prominently includes a call to criminalize the production and distribution of pornography.

YouPay Releases Results of 2024 Spring Creator Survey

Gifting platform YouPay has released the results of its 2024 Spring Creator Survey, highlighting the key activities and needs of creators who use gifting as an engagement approach with their fans.

Aylo Willing to Work With Australia's Online Censor on Device-Based AV Solutions

The office of Australia’s top online censor, unelected eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, has released a new roadmap for implementing age verification in accordance with the country’s Online Safety Act.

Spain's Technology Minister Unveils Soon-to-be-Mandatory Age Verification App

Spain’s anti-sex-work and anti-porn Socialist Party (PSOE) government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has unveiled a new age verification app that will become mandatory for accessing adult content in the country starting in September.

FSC Drops Opposition to California Age Verification Bill After Amendments

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has dropped its formal opposition to California’s age verification bill AB 3080, after an amendment secured through months of discussions with the bill’s author was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Texas Age Verification Challenge

The United States Supreme Court granted on Tuesday the petition for a writ of certiorari in the Free Speech Coalition-led challenge to Texas’ age verification law, agreeing to hear the case in the next term.

Dorcel Group Acquires LifeSelector

Dorcel Group has acquired interactive content producer LifeSelector.

Etsy Updates Policy to Ban Sale of Most Adult Pleasure Products, Content

Etsy will ban sales of most pleasure products and content that depicts sex acts and genitalia starting July 29.

Jamie Page Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for July

LoyalFans has named Jamie Page as its Featured Creator for July.

Byborg's Le Shaw Research Institute Teams Up With SWOP Behind Bars

LiveJasmin parent company Byborg Enterprises’ Le Shaw International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute has joined forces with U.S.-based sex worker advocacy group SWOP Behind Bars.

Show More