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 © 2025 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

BranditScan Launches '25 Days of Christmas' Promo

BranditScan has launched its 25 Days of Christmas promotion.

MelRose Michaels Named Host of Online Industry Edition of XBIZ Honors

Performer and entrepreneur MelRose Michaels will MC the online edition of the 2026 XBIZ Honors, set for Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Irish Regulator: EU States to Ramp Up AV Enforcement for Smaller Sites

A representative of Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán told legislators that Ireland and other EU states are preparing to expand enforcement of age verification regulations to include smaller adult sites, British newspaper The Times is reporting.

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Missouri Lawmaker Attempts to Revive 'Health Warnings' for Adult Sites

A Missouri state representative has introduced a bill that would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged physical, mental, and social harms associated with pornography, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

New Age Verification Service 'BorderAge' Launches

French startup company Needemand has officially launched its subscription-based age verification solution, BorderAge.

Ruling: Italy's 'Porn Tax' Applies to All Content Creators

Italy’s tax revenue agency has ruled that the nation’s 25% “ethical tax” on income generated from adult content applies even to smaller independent online content creators.

Show More