Google in China: government censorship and corporate reputation

摘要

On January 25, 2006, Google, Inc. announced that it would provide access to the internet in China through a new portal: Google.cn. At the same time, Google executives agreed to censor all search results that included content considered objectionable by the Chinese Government. This decision was announced in the wake of Google's recent refusal to provide user information to the US Government case against child pornography. Wall Street's response confirmed the profit potential of the venture, as the company's share price rose 3.6 percent in just one day (Ottawa Citizen, 2006). However, the company's announcement brought strong reaction from the press and human rights organizations as well. Within days, headlines across the USA and around the world accused Google of abandoning its principles in pursuit of profit.