Google threats to quit China, what happened?

[Sarah]

Google threats to withdraw from China, what happened?

[produce]

According to its own announcement, the reasons are:

First, this attack was not just on Google. As part of our investigation we have discovered that at least twenty other large companies from a wide range of businesses–including the Internet, finance, technology, media and chemical sectors–have been similarly targeted. We are currently in the process of notifying those companies, and we are also working with the relevant U.S. authorities.

Second, we have evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists. Based on our investigation to date we believe their attack did not
achieve that objective. Only two Gmail accounts appear to have been accessed, and that activity was limited to account information (such as the date the account was created) and subject line, rather than the
content of emails themselves.

Third, as part of this investigation but independent of the attack on Google, we have discovered that the accounts of dozens of U.S.-, China- and Europe-based Gmail users who are advocates of human rights in
China appear to have been routinely accessed by third parties. These accounts have not been accessed through any security breach at Google, but most likely via phishing scams or malware placed on the users’
computers.

[Ryan344]

The following is a report from Gazette :

"The top reason rumoured was because Google is losing their grip in China. In reality, Google is far behind Baidu in terms of market share despite being second. It was very clear that Google was never going to increase their market share or bear Baidu in China. Hence, the better option would be pulling out of a market that they are not doing well.

"Let us look at the numbers; here is the breakdown by Brainstorm. Baidu has about 77% market share for search in China while Google has only 19%; that is a major difference between the first and second preferred choice of search engine in China. To add on, the most searched term among Google users in China is Baidu."

[Gossip]

Google said on Tuesday it was no longer willing to censor search in China through its Chinese-language website Google.cn. Google has been operating its search business in China more than five years, how does it now get tired of censoring search through its Google.cn in China? Is it because the Internet attacks ?

But Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer said "There are attacks every day. I don't think there was anything unusual ... We're attacked every day from all parts of the world and I think everybody else is too. We didn't see anything out of the ordinary."

Google, the IT giant with so many world-class IT experts, of course will not be baffled by the attacks. Then attack as an excuse seems not that reasonably enough. For this reason, I agree with the above analysis that Google's business in China is not successful, at least we know that Google China CEO Li Kaifu puzzlingly resigned from his position just a few months ago, exactly in September 2009. It is said that, up to now, there is no ideal person to replace him.

[Susan]

Google's withdrawal from China can do nothing to improve China's human rights situation, the effect will be just opposite.

[Gossip]

Google's quitting Chinese market will be an economical nightmare for the IT imperial. If this is Google's real intention, it'll be proved an immature impulse by a series of unsmoothly experiences. Simply, Google's business operation has threatened the survival of thousands of the traditional business models and is pushing them to the end. That's why Google's huge developing plan is facing so strong resistance from allover the world. The copyright issue is a typical example, it is also the fuse of the conflict with some Chinese writers' organizations.

Google's success is based on free use of others' information resources. It is too successful to cause envy. That's the law of nature.

I think Google is adjusting its strategy, maybe the threatening to quit China is one part of the strategy -- to test the world response and increase elements to the negotiation with the Chinese government. That's good for its business. However, I think Google's period of great prosperity is getting over if it does not adjust itself to fit the new world market competition.

[Training]

So far, Google hasn't filed a formal document to the Chinese authority to withdraw from Chinese market.

[Autoking]

The following is the part of the coversation betwwen Google CEO Eric Schmidt and NEWSWEEK's Fareed Zakaria on Jan.15:

What's the likely outcome here? That [Chinese search engine] Baidu will totally dominate the market?
That's one possible outcome. The other is that we can work out an agreement with the Chinese government and continue to operate. Or that some other company moves in. And please understand, we will still have engineers, programmers, and others in China. We love China and the Chinese people. This is not about them. It's about our unwillingness to participate in censorship.

[Veon]

Google is now in dilemma. According to Eric Schmidt. Google doesn't really want to withdraw, but if the Chinese government still persists in its iron policy; Google then has to quit, or still participates in censorship.

[Edward UPV]

Gossip, your prediction on Jan.15 is right again. Google doesn't really want to pull off from China, but used the threat as a strategy.
It reaffirmed its commitment to China yesterday (Thursday), saying it continues to engage in discussions with the Chinese government and that its business in the country remains "unchanged."

[Gossip]

Thank you for your praise. It is not the end of the incident.

In my view, If Google selects to stay in China, that will be a wise decision. The withdrawal will result in serious consequence for its business. That means Google actively gives up the whole China market to Baidu forever, while Baidu will dominate the whole Chinese language market allover the world, -- you can imagine how many people in the world are using this language now, then gain chance to march on to Google's English world market out of China. Think it is impossible? It is definitely possible in the future if Google admits its failure and finally quits the Chinese market.

[Newsman]

Google has a problem in China. But it may have bigger headaches in Europe.

On issues as varied as privacy, copyright protection and the dominance of Google's Internet search engine, the company is clashing with lawmakers, regulators and consumer advocates. And the fights are escalating across Western Europe.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/te.../02google.html

[Newsman]

Google has been resisted in Germany.

Germany -- Recently, Google announced that it will provide Internet users in Germany the"urban street (street view)" service. The German media has aroused widespread concern and strong opposition from all walks of life.

German Federal Minister for Consumer Protection Kohler firmly opposed this service and said that without permission, the practice of large-scale photography will be illegal. Consumer Protection Department is exploring with the Federal Ministry of the Interior to take legal measures or modify existing laws to strengthen the protection of data and citizen privacy. German Federal Minister of Justice Schnarrenberger also called for more stringent information and data protection laws.

German cities and towns Administration require Google to obtain prior permission and to pay the special fee. Property Owners Association reacted strongly, calling for laws to prevent Google from launching this service. The Commissioner considers that the existing data protection laws from the pre-Internet era, has not adequately protected the citizens' private space.

Google started to launch the "City Street" service in 2007, the service is now expanded to more than 100 cities worldwide. But it is often controversial.

[Jennifer]

Google refused to review: This time do a good job of preparing to withdraw from China.

Google Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Wong Anna (Nicole Wong) in the U.S. Congress hearing that Google has not changed to maintain Internet freedom not hesitate to abandon the idea of the Chinese market.

Huang Anna Wednesday (March 10) in the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on the Internet how to assist the activities of global democracy and make the above statement at a hearing.
Anna Huang, said Google's attitude is very firm, be sure to stop in China, the practice of filtering search results.

She said that if this means that Google China web site shut down operations and leave China, Google "ready."

At the same time, is the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi to participate in the media summit, said Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Google and China on the Internet review of the negotiations "soon" will be available.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information last week, Miao Wei, vice minister denied that the Chinese government and negotiations between Google.

[SupportG]

Google might have been seriously thinking to quit China now.