The Peoples Republic of China is flexing their Communist Muscle against Mega-Search Engine giant, Google. Google search service has been completely cut off! Censorship is strong and alive in China. This country wants full control over what their citizens are allow to see and read online - this is everything against what Google's mission and philosophy.
A note on the Google Web site, which was initially reported by Reuters, explains that the company's Web search function has been "fully blocked" from within mainland China. The note does not reveal specific details of the search blockage.
The Internet giant has struggled with the Chinese government over censorship issues for more than six months. Today's note could mark another setback in relations between the two, which, over the past few weeks, seemed to be improving.
Earlier this month, Google reported that its license to operate in China was renewed. And just last week, Reuters said that China was satisfied with the tweaks Google made to the way it was directing users to an unfiltered search page.
Troubles started early this year, when Google threatened to leave China in a dispute over censorship, placing Chinese rival Baidu (BIDU) firmly in the spotlight. Link
Haven't you known this already, China is going to do what this country wants to do. Freedom from government intervention is not the mantra in communist China. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness can only exist under the watchful eye of the government.
I know there is money to be made in China, but if China is going to be at odds with Google's Mission Statement:
"To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful",
then basically leave and find another market elsewhere. The earth is a big planet and Google can reach every human being - just not the Chinese.
