Principles Google followed in developing Google.cn
There was a need for increased market share in the society; therefore, Google change its website to google.cn in an attempt to suite the demands for Chinese. Initially, Google entered the Chinese market as google.com that was maintained in Chinese language.
The website was based in United States; as such, it was not based on censorship from Chinese government. This ensured that the Chinese government filtered information that was received in the country. Some of the keywords were blocked, thus, giving a competitive advantage to the rival site Baidu.
Google incorporated google.cn to the Chinese economy by differentiating its product from that of the competitors. The main principles that enhanced its superiority included privacy, disclosure of filtered information to the users, and use of Chinese language when searching for information. Personal information was not revealed to a third party outside Chinese territory.
Yahoo, Gmail, and Blogger were used by Chinese as it enhanced their privacy (Boatright, 2009). As the Chinese government ensured that some of the information was filtered, Google provided the users with the information of sites that were filtered. As such, the users were guaranteed of convenient and reliable information.
Finally, Chinese appreciated the use of Chinese-language when accessing information from the internet. It was, therefore, vital for Google to use Chinese language when accessing google.cn.
Measures undertaken to protect Chinese Rights
Each person has a right to privacy. Google has undertaken measures to ensure that Chinese rights are upheld. When it maintains Blogger and Gmail outside China, it minimizes the government’s retrieval of personal information of the Chinese. Most of the information available in Gmail accounts are confidential and should be accorded with the highest degree of privacy.
The Chinese have the right to understand why the information they are searching for cannot be displayed. Google.cn provides a statement below the search results informing the user that the search is restricted. Indeed, the government needs to filter information and material that may be harmful to the Chinese economy (Boatright, 2009).
However, the measures have been criticized citing that the blocked information could not be revealed by the new google.cn. The system hides the censor’s hand, and one cannot have access to the information that is blocked.
In my opinion, the measures taken were not adequate. Although Google provided the exact nature of information that is filtered, Chinese rights were not fully catered for by the website. For them to be effective, the critics and users’ complain need to be considered, and individuals need to access the nature of information that is blocked.
Censorship on Internet
Imposing Great Firewall in the site ensured that Google was effective in enabling censorship on the internet. This was undertaken by Google, Microsoft, Cisco, and other companies. Initially, Chinese were able to access delicate information from the internet, which compromised the security of the region (Cross et al., 2011).
Following this, the website operators decided to censor the internet by filtering information that was insecure. Although, individuals need to access information that they deem to be vital in their research, censorship minimizes access of information that requires high security detail.
The objective of Google.cn was not to be evil. Allowing individuals to access information that will infringe the nations’ security will be against their goals and objectives in accessing the Chinese market. Therefore, I believe censorship on the internet was vital for Google and other companies.
References
Boatright, J. (2009). Ethics and the conduct of business (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
Cross, F. & Miller, R. (2011). The Legal Environment of Business: Text and Cases: Ethical, Regulatory, Global, and Corporate Issues. London: Cengage Learning