So internet search giant Google has announced that it may end operations in China as a result of alleged breaches of the email accounts of Chinese human rights activists. News of this came after it emerged that a “highly sophisticated and targeted attack” took place against Google’s infrastructure, originating from China. The perpetrators allegedly attempted to access the gmail accounts of dozens of human rights activists.
It’s important we don’t forget Google’s earlier collusion with the Chinese authorities in blocking search terms relating to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, or the ongoing struggles in Tibet and East Turkistan. To collude with an oppressive Government and deny a nation of people access to information is nothing short of criminal.
It’s ironic then that Google should now discover that when you deal with the devil, you are at its mercy too. Maybe this particular dose of medicine will make Google re-evaluate its ethical practices in future