Don’t Be Evil
Google believes what they say. Evil to them is a form of censorship that controls links to information controversial to Chinese policy. And I would agree with their stance. But its not without sacrifice. Google just took on a giant and risked some serious dollars in the process.
Good for Google.
Only GoDaddy followed their lead – Microsoft & Yahoo choosing to sit this fight out (not to mention the White House). In the age of China, most are afraid to take on a country of that many consumers. And yet, a private, for-profit corporation based out of California just went to battle for the freedom of a people that aren't even a part of their primary market.
Isn't that Hillary's job?
I'm impressed. Google is acting on behalf of its own citizens – users across the globe. And in their minds, this doesn't seem to be confined to traditional borders. Can China even control this tide of demand for information-access? In the long-run, I think not. Its inevitable. They are going to have to let go of their grip on their citizens sooner or later. Google is just forcing the issue to the surface.
It will be interesting to witness whether a company with millions of worldwide users can win-out over a government attempting to control a country of billions. Will Chinese citizens revolt in protest of the excessive restraints, pledging loyalty instead to a service that challenges their own government's ideals?
In the end, will a brand or a government prove to have the greatest influence over the world's largest people group?
3 Comments
"This would hold a lot more moral weight if Google hadn't willingly done exactly what they are now protesting for 3 years- censoring content. Now, it could be that they have had a morals correction; seen that they had a lapse in their own moral code and corrected it. But, it came right on the heels of the infamous "hacking attempt" that they blame on the Chinese government, so it smacks more of "nobody f*cks with Google!" and less of a moral imperative for Google. I think it would be great if Google's actions opened up the Chinese government, but I also think it would be more an interesting side-effect than the result of impeccable morals on the part of Google.
That said, it is possible that the incident finally opened Google's eyes to their wiling collusion and it's seeming incongruence with their stated values.
I hope that's the case. They have all of my data :)"
- Mike Landman
"I can't wait to see how this pans out. I agree with Mike on the timing. I'm glad Google woke up no matter who or what was the catalyst.
This has lead me to question some of my other favorite brands and think what would they do in this case. It has actually made me trust them less. For instance Apple's recent backlash against app developers that have spoke out against them. It makes me think that they REALLY don't want anyone to "Think Different" anymore."
- Desi
"You bring up a great point Mike. I agree that Google's timing does reveal their motives weren't a "pure" adherence to their ideals. But even so, they spoke out - and stepped way out in front of what most companies or even our own gov't are willing to do in relation to China. Most are afraid of loosing influence over such a large consumer-base.
And a great point about Apple too.
Overall, I'm impressed to see that kind of courage and inspired by their move."
- Dustin Britt