Google Secures Content License in China

BEIJING — Google announced that China has renewed the search engine giant’s Internet content provider license.

"We are very pleased that the government has renewed our ICP license and we look forward to continuing to provide web search and local products to our users in China," Google said.

The announcement comes several days after Google announced a hybrid approach to search in the region, according to PCMag..

To avoid losing its license in China, Google said it would stop completely re-directing all Google.cn traffic through its Hong Kong site and instead reinstate the Google.cn landing page.

The search component is still an unfiltered option going through Google.com/hk, while other Google.cn services that have traditionally been unfiltered, like music and text translate, will be available via Google.cn.

Back in January, a conflict erupted between China and Google after the search engine announced it would stop censoring its search results in China.

Google had discovered that attacks originating in China had unsuccessfully tried to access Google intellectual property as well as the Gmail accounts of several Chinese human rights activists.

After discussions with Chinese officials, Google started re-directing its Google.cn traffic to the unfiltered Google.com/hk.

That reportedly angered Chinese officials, who told Google that its move was unfriendly, irresponsible and would have consequences.

Last week, Google said the Chinese found its Hong Kong re-direct option "unacceptable" and threatened to pull Google's license if a reasonable solution was not found.

To avoid going dark in China, Google implemented its hybrid approach, which has apparently been accepted by Chinese officials.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 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

AEBN Reveals Ariel Demure as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2026

AEBN has named its top trans stars for the third quarter of 2026, with Ariel Demure landing atop the leaderboard.

Porn Piracy: How AI Is Transforming Content Theft and Protection

Gone are the days when the word “pirate” primarily conjured images of clever scoundrels like Captain Jack Sparrow, swaggering across the high seas in search of gold and jewels. Today’s most prolific pirates operate in the darkest corners of the internet, armed with bots, scrapers and generative AI.

Playhaus Network Launches Podcast Platform Through PAYSITE

Entertainment website The Playhaus Network is launching its new podcast platform through PAYSITE.

Kylie Rocket, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2026

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2026.

JustFor.fans Launches Android Version of 'JFF Create' Mobile App

JustFor.fans (JFF) has rolled out an Android-compatible version of its creator management mobile app, JFF Create.

Kink.com Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Copycat Website

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of Kink.com in a case against a copycat website using an infringing domain.

On-Chain JAV Distribution Platform 'HandSome' Goes Live With Open Beta

Fukuoka tech firm Fidem has officially rolled out an open beta version of HandSome, a new Japanese Adult Video (JAV) content distribution platform built on blockchain technology.

Arcom Investigates MYM Over SREN Compliance

French media regulator Arcom is investigating creator platform MYM to determine whether the site may have violated age assurance rules and/or other requirements of France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

England, Wales to Enforce 'Extreme' Content Laws Starting Nov. 6

England and Wales will begin enforcing new laws criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation,” as well as sexual content in which adults portray underage characters, starting Nov. 6, the U.K. Ministry of Justice announced Friday.

Report: UK Film Classification Board to Monitor 'Extreme' Content Online

The U.K. government has tapped the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for a pilot program to monitor online pornography for illegal and “extreme” content, as it prepares to enforce new content restrictions, British media outlet Sky News is reporting.

Show More