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Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 08:45 GMT
Google censors itself for China
Google sign

Leading internet company Google has said it will censor its search services in China in order to gain greater access to China's fast-growing market.

Google has offered a Chinese-language version of its search engine for years but users have been frustrated by government blocks on the site.

The company is setting up a new site - Google.cn - which it will censor itself to satisfy the authorities in Beijing.

Google argued it would be more damaging to pull out of China altogether.

While removing search results is inconsistent with Google's mission, providing no information... is more inconsistent with our mission
Google statement

Critics warn the new version could restrict access to thousands of sensitive terms and web sites. Such topics are likely to include independence for Taiwan and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

The Chinese government keeps a tight rein on the internet and what users can access. The BBC news site is inaccessible, while a search on Google.cn for the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement directs users to a string of condemnatory articles.

Google's move in China comes less than a week after it resisted efforts by the US Department of Justice to make it disclose data on what people were searching for.

Baidu.com's offices in Beijing
Google has lost ground to Beijing-based web search company Baidu

Google hopes its new address will make the search engine easier to use and quicker.

Its e-mail, chat room and blogging services will not be available because of concerns the government could demand users' personal information.

Google said it planned to notify users when access had been restricted on certain search terms.

The company argues it can play a more useful role in China by participating than by boycotting it, despite the compromises involved.

"While removing search results is inconsistent with Google's mission, providing no information (or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information) is more inconsistent with our mission," a statement said.

HAVE YOUR SAY
Google is a business, businesses tend to want to maximise profits
Rich C, Skye and Bonn

Julian Pain, internet spokesman for campaign group Reporters Without Borders, said Google's decision to "collaborate" with the Chinese government was "a real shame".

The number of internet search users in China is predicted to increase from about 100 million currently to 187 million in two years' time.

A survey last August revealed Google was losing market share to Beijing-based rival Baidu.com.

Last year, Yahoo was accused of supplying data to China that was used as evidence to jail a Chinese journalist for 10 years.




VOTE RESULTS
Should Google censor its search services in China?
Yes
 19.71% 
No
 80.27% 
5195 Votes Cast
Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion

SEE ALSO:
Google's Chinese results toe the line
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The browser and the ballot box
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China angry at Google map change
19 Oct 05 |  Asia-Pacific
Firms face moral dilemma in China
07 Sep 05 |  Technology
Google loses China market share
30 Aug 05 |  Business
All roads lead east for web firms
11 Aug 05 |  Business


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