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Sergey Brin clarifies Apple and Facebook critique, says statement was 'distorted'

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:24:00 EST

Sergey Brin wasn't too happy with how his critique of Apple and Facebook was represented in the media following an interview he gave to the Guardian. In a post on Google+ (hey, if he won't use it, who will?) Brin lamented that, "my thoughts got particularly distorted... in a way that distracts from my central tenets." The founder believes that undue attention was given to his complaints about Facebook and Apple's "restrictive" walled gardens, when he sees oppressive governments and state-sanctioned censorship as much larger issues. Of course, while Brin does say he admires his competitors, he never truly backpedals from his criticism or says that it was taken out of context. To let Sergey explain himself, hit up the source link.

Sergey Brin clarifies Apple and Facebook critique, says statement was 'distorted' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sergey Brin says the internet is under attack by governments, Apple and Facebook

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:27:00 EST

One of the qualifications for scoring a CE-Oh no 'round here is actually being a CEO -- so Sergey Brin does not receive that honor. We will, however, draw attention to what some might call his hyperbolic ramblings. In an interview with the Guardian, Google's cool uncle said he was worried about the state of the internet and that his company could not have flourished in an online ecosystem like today's. According to Brin, the threats are coming from all sides -- most notably governments. While oppressive regimes like those in China and Iran get top billing, the US doesn't escape without criticism thanks to SOPA and PIPA which seemed perilously close to passing with support from the media industry. The co-founder also took shots at Apple and Facebook, which he said have built "really restrictive" walled gardens. For more smack talk from one of the most influential men in the tech industry, hit up the source link.

[Image via Thomas Hawk]

Sergey Brin says the internet is under attack by governments, Apple and Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eric Schmidt: Google still has 'growing and profitable business in China'

Amar Toor — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:43:00 EST

To say that Google and the Chinese government have had a rocky relationship in recent years would be something of an understatement. But it now appears that the company is willing to mend its Mainland relations, more than a year after rerouting its search operations through Hong Kong. Speaking to reporters in Taipei today, chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt acknowledged that Google's relationship with the Chinese regime remains "mixed," adding that the "the Chinese government is unhappy with our unwillingness to support censorship." He sounded notably more optimistic, however, when discussing Big G's Chinese outlook. Schmidt, who was wrapping up a three-day tour across Asia, said he was "very happy" with Android's growth within the country, explaining that Google still enjoys "a growing and profitable business in China." The chairman went on to say that even though his company has faced institutional hurdles in the past, it simply "wanted to serve China's citizens within the limits the government allowed." Of course, this isn't the first time that Google has struck a conciliatory tone with the People's Republic, though it remains to be seen whether or not it results in any substantive change.

Eric Schmidt: Google still has 'growing and profitable business in China' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China happy with Google's latest tweaks, saga appears at an end

Vlad Savov — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:30:00 EST

The China versus Google spat seems to be drawing to a conciliatory end today, as a senior state official has announced China is "satisfied" with Google's latest round of changes. This was somewhat predictable given that the country just recently renewed El Goog's license to host sites within its borders, but it's always reassuring to get confirmation from an official source. The American search giant had tried to strike a precarious balance, by having its local .cn domain adhere to Chinese laws and dictum while also providing a link out to its uncensored Hong Kong hub, and that seems to have done the trick. Ultimately, even the .hk search results will be subject to China's firewall -- which will render the most sensitive info inaccessible -- but at least Google can walk away from this dispute claiming that it's providing uncensored search in some form, even if its output can't always be put to good use.

China happy with Google's latest tweaks, saga appears at an end originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China renews Google's license to host

Tim Stevens — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:59:00 EST

A little later than anticipated, Google is confirming that China has renewed its ICP license -- the rights one needs to host a site on its own domain in China. Without that Google would certainly be on the outs, but after resuming limited broadcasts there last month there was hope the two global powerhouses would work out their differences. And, it appears they have -- at least to some degree. We're not sure whether this means Google will resume full hosting in China or will keep redirecting some content to HK servers, but we were able to get a statement from the ICP on it's feelings on this development, which is embedded after the break.

Continue reading China renews Google's license to host

China renews Google's license to host originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google modifies its policies in China, resumes hosting some content on Chinese servers

Donald Melanson — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:23:00 EST

Well, it looks like that "entirely legal" workaround to Google's censorship woes in China may not have been the answer the company hoped it was. Faced with the possibility of China revoking its license to operate in the country (in addition to blocking the site), Google has now stopped automatically redirecting Chinese users to its Hong Kong website and is simply presenting them with a link to Google.com.hk instead. What's more, Google has now also starting hosting some content on Chinese servers again, including maps, music and translation services that it says cannot be censored, and which can be accessed on Google.com.hk from within mainland China. Google will continue to host its main search operations on servers in Hong Kong, however, and it still remains to be seen if these changes will be enough to ensure it keeps its license -- China will reportedly decide that on Wednesday.

Google modifies its policies in China, resumes hosting some content on Chinese servers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China partially blocks Google search results from Hong Kong, the saga continues

Vlad Savov — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:10:00 EST

You didn't think that just because Google started redirecting its Google.cn domain to its Hong Kong site, we were coming to a neat compromise to the big brouhaha between the search giant and China, did you? Oh no, brother, this thing is far from over. China has now responded by whipping its state computers into a filtering frenzy, blocking and censoring out content it considers objectionable from Google's HK-based search results. Adding to its show of strength, it's expected the Chinese government's influence will also result in China Mobile canceling a deal to have Google as its default search provider on mobile handsets. We suppose it's Google's turn to respond now. How about offering a friendly game of badminton to settle their differences?

[Thanks, Colin]

China partially blocks Google search results from Hong Kong, the saga continues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google.cn now rerouting to Hong Kong domain, an 'entirely legal' workaround to censorship woes

Ross Miller — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:06:00 EST

It's not quite the ceasing of operations that the local papers were reporting last week, but Google has announced today what it's calling an "entirely legal" way of giving mainland China unfiltered search results. The Google.cn domain now redirects to its Hong Kong servers via Google.com.hk, providing uncensored access in traditional and simplified Chinese. Needless to say, any mainland Google China servers have thus been given an early retirement. "We very much hope that the Chinese government respects our decision, though we are well aware that it could at any time block access to our services," writes David Drummond, SVP of Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, on the official Google Blog, while also noting to expect some slowdown while the HK servers deal with an expanded load of users. As for its men and women on the ground, Google reiterates that these decisions were driven by executives in the U.S. "and that none of [its] employees in China can, or should, be held responsible for them." R&D work will continue on the mainland, and a sales presence will remain. The company has created a "China service availability" page, promised to be updated daily, for seeing what parts of Google's business are being blocked by the country at any given time -- as of today, that includes Youtube, Google Sites, Blogger, and partial blocks of Docs, Picasa, and Groups. We're very curious to see how the page'll look in tomorrow's update.

Update: China has given its own response, in English, saying that Google has "violated its written promise." An official for the State Council Information Office goes on to say, " This is totally wrong. We're uncompromisingly opposed to the politicization of commercial issues, and express our discontent and indignation to Google for its unreasonable accusations and conducts." More details via Xinhuanet.

Update 2: The White House has chimed in. "We are disappointed that Google and the Chinese government were unable to reach an agreement that would allow Google to continue operating its search services in China on its Google.cn website," said National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer. More via Yahoo! News.

Update 3: The New York Times sat down, briefly, with Google co-founder Sergey Brin for a few elaborations on today's events. For starters, Brin noted that the new policy was entirely Google's idea, and the US government was not involved in any way. He also silenced whispers that Google would be releasing software for bypassing censorship. "I think those tools are going to come of their own accord. I don't think we have to do anything," he said.

Google.cn now rerouting to Hong Kong domain, an 'entirely legal' workaround to censorship woes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google China could be ceasing operations in April, says report

Ross Miller — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:27:00 EST

Just when you were hoping things would get better for the bickering search giant and nation-state, along comes apparent word from Shanghai-based Chinese Business News (via Bloomberg), citing an anonymous Google China employee, that the company is looking into closing up shop on April 10th. That's a far cry from what we heard late last week, that it would stay in the country, albeit in a potentially modified form. Frankly, this is quite sketchy and no one anywhere is corroborating, but according to the report, an announcement is expected on Monday, March 22nd. Better get used to the idea of Bing-powered Android devices.

Google China could be ceasing operations in April, says report originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google says Android should 'flourish' in China, effectively concedes a point

Sean Hollister — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:22:00 EST

Whether for real or for show, Google tried to make the world believe it would use Android OS as a bargaining chip during the company's terse, slow negotiations with China. Now, the company has seemingly abandoned that option. During an educational webcast about the future of Google's mobile business, CFO Patrick Pichette told viewers that he expected the company's Android platform to do well in China despite all the recent threats and ultimatums in the country. "The Android platform is available to everybody," said Pichette, "and China is obviously another great market in which Android should flourish." Good to hear that Google and China are finally in accordance, right? Thing is, with China circumventing Android's default search engine, Google's stance against Chinese censorship of search depended on taking Android handsets hostage. But if the OS is indeed available to everybody, that's not going to happen. The mobile market might one day be dominated by Android, but if Google doesn't step up, mobile search will go to competitors more willing to play wallball with the Great Firewall of China.

Google says Android should 'flourish' in China, effectively concedes a point originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google to stop censoring Chinese search results 'soon,' China warns of consequences

Vlad Savov — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:24:00 EST

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is making headway with its plans to stop filtering search results in China. Quoting Eric Schmidt as saying that "something will happen soon," the latest report is that Google is engaged in negotiations with multiple government agencies in China, and the likeliest scenario at this point is that the search giant will remain in the People's Republic, though it may be in a slightly altered state. "There will be a way for Google to not pull out 100%," says a source familiar with the ongoing discussions, who expects that El Goog will find a patchwork arrangement by which it'll be able to maintain some parts of its business running while no longer adhering to China's censorship fiat. For its part, China is keeping up its tough posturing, with the latest statement from its IT ministry describing Google's plans as "unfriendly and irresponsible" and warning that the company will have to bear the consequences of its actions. What appears certain at this point, however, is that there'll be no going back to censored Google search results, which is a win in our books whatever the final outcome.

Google to stop censoring Chinese search results 'soon,' China warns of consequences originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China says Android can stay, misses Google's point

Vlad Savov — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:15:00 EST

A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology spokesperson has today delivered a statement affirming China's willingness to allow Android devices to operate within the country without restriction so long as they adhere to the nation's laws. This means that whatever China's response to Google no longer obeying its censorship edicts may be, it won't be to disallow Android -- which kind of makes sense considering the growing roster of OPhones out there, all running a remixed version of the dessert-loving mobile OS. Then again, Google's latest power play was to hold back Android handsets from entering China, so we're not entirely sure how much the Mountain View outfit cares about the Middle Kingdom's apparent benevolence.

China says Android can stay, misses Google's point originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IE security flaw exploited in recent Google attacks

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:02:00 EST

This next item's for any rogue states out there that might be planning a comprehensive wave of cyber-attacks: It looks like Microsoft has admitted that indeed it was a security flaw in Internet Explorer that hackers based in China exploited in the recent attacks on Google. As is often the case, the flaw is neatly summed up in the title of the advisory: "Vulnerability in Internet Explorer could allow remote code execution." According to news agency AFP, the incident (which targeted Chinese human rights activists) shows "a level of sophistication above that of typical, isolated cyber criminal efforts." (Which is, evidently, how we like to think of our own cyber criminal efforts.) Microsoft has yet to release a formal software update. In the meantime, if you think your machine could be at risk, hit the source link for all the details. Or just switch to Firefox.

IE security flaw exploited in recent Google attacks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google to stop censoring Chinese search results, will "review the feasibility" of Chinese business operations

Nilay Patel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST

Google's been taking bad press about Chinese search result filtering for years, and now it looks like the company simply fed up: it's going to stop filtering Google.cn and it may pull of out the country entirely. The move comes on the heels of coordinated attacks on Gmail, which Google says were aimed at accessing the accounts of prominent human rights activists -- and Google also says that it's not the only company suffering such attacks in China. Only two accounts are said to have been hacked, but many more have apparently been accessed by third parties using malware or phishing schemes to obtain passwords. Google also says that these attacks have forced it to reconsider "the feasibility of our business operations in China," and that it's going to take the next few weeks to talk to the Chinese government and figure out a way to operate an unfiltered search engine in a legal way, and if it can't be done, it'll close Google.cn and potentially leave China completely. A gutsy move, to be sure -- but seriously, Google, what took you so long?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Google to stop censoring Chinese search results, will "review the feasibility" of Chinese business operations originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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