Due to recent cyber attacks on Google’s corporate infrastructure that resulted in theft of intellectual property, Google has announced a brand new approach to China.
“We launched Google.cn in January 2006 in the belief that the benefits of increased access to information for people in China and a more open Internet outweighed our discomfort in agreeing to censor some results. At the time we made clear that “we will carefully monitor conditions in China, including new laws and other restrictions on our services. If we determine that we are unable to achieve the objectives outlined we will not hesitate to reconsider our approach to China.”
What first appeared to be solely a security incident, turn out to be quite different. The attack was not only on Google. Later it was discovered that at least 20 more large companies, ranging from chemicals to marketing, have been similarly targeted.
As a result of this attack Google has enhanced security for their infrastructure and users. For individual users (like you and me) Google recommends using reputable anti-virus and anti-spyware software on their computers, install security and browser updates.
There’s a reason why Google (unlike most big companies) shared this information with us:
“We have taken the unusual step of sharing information about these attacks with a broad audience not just because of the security and human rights implications of what we have unearthed, but also because this information goes to the heart of a much bigger global debate about freedom of speech. In the last two decades, China’s economic reform programs and its citizens’ entrepreneurial flair have lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese people out of poverty. Indeed, this great nation is at the heart of much economic progress and development in the world today.”
I appreciate the honesty about what has happened in China. Google makes a valid point about freedom of speech and information sharing and how China blocks itself from massive breakthroughs by following old fashioned political views. A great example of what China can become, if it breaks away from Communism is Russia. It used to be ultra communistic country, but ever since they embraced democracy Russia has made a giant leap towards becoming a better country-financially and technologically.
Freedom of speech is what Internet is all about. It’s what Blogging is all about. It’s what Democracy is all about!
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There will always be something happening with security issues and the big guys out there will get hit hard when it happens.
I’m just glad Linux is something most people frown upon as far as switching to as there might open doors to more security issues there as well.
I don’t know too much about this but I think google is strong enough to work this through.
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This might result in Google creating an independent search
engine in China, that is going to “fight” the government. Lol!
Igor
Is it just me or is life in China getting unbearable. While living in Cuba, I use to think Cuba were kings in restrictions but apparently China is. No day passes when I don’t see news about something getting censored in that country.
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China is still communistic, that’s probably why
everything is limited there …but soon time will come
and China will also embrace Democracy-it’s inevitable!
Igor
Well it’s gonna be a long wait. Even Cuba is still socialist/communist and going strong at it after 50 years.
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After I’ve seen Russia change-I believe that Cuba and China
will follow. It’s only a matter of time.
Igor