Google's Dilemma in China

Google's dilemma in China: Google is the world's largest search engine, it dramatically changed the use of the Internet as a source of information. The impact of Google's use of the Internet as a source of information is obvious, and by June 2010 it occupied over 70% of the total Internet search in the US. In addition to its success and profitability in the global marketplace, Google is known for its corporate philosophy and is a very ethical company.

Some people believe that Google should refuse to self-censor in China. But under the double pressure of strict law and advanced technology management, Google is faced with China's predicament. Google has only two choices. One is self-censorship and the other is filtered by China's big firewall. Regardless of which side Google chooses, the Chinese government will force Google to select important keywords for public debate and democracy. David Drummond, senior vice president of Google, said that if Google did not filter keywords, the Chinese government could block further Web sites that would disappoint the Chinese public. (Google rules, page 41)

The purpose of this document is to address the existence of Google in China, (a) the legal, cultural and ethical issues faced by Google, and (b) the various roles the Chinese government plays in Google's Chinese business . In addition, this article also outlines the strategic and operational challenges facing Google administrators living and working in China. In 2000, Google began offering services to Chinese, allowing them to search in their own language. This service is not in the United States because Google has no office in China. For about two years, Chinese people can use Google to search the information via the internet. Then in 2002, the Chinese government blocked access to the Google website, but instead it began to allow searchers to use the website authorized by the Chinese government. When the government later granted access to Google, people noticed that certain sites that are considered politically sensitive are not available.

The Chinese market is a wally garden, mainly for Chinese companies - after all, Google, Facebook, and Twitter are not allowed to operate freely in China. So Baidu eventually becomes Google's Google, Renren becomes China's Facebook, and Weibo becomes a Chinese Twitter. Even the Amazon is facing a very difficult task. After the protection of many governments, the market value of this half trillion dollar has become easier. Of course Alibaba beat eBay - but this is just an exception. Internet companies other than China have major barriers in terms of regulation, politics and language in China.