The other day <a href="http://nowherethoughts.net/sarpysam/archives/1483-Over-Reaching.html">I gave Google</a> a big thumbs up or their stance on <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2006/01/20/build/nation/30-google-search.inc">not releasing information to the government</a> just because they wanted it. This was the right stance to take at the right time.<br />n<br />nNow I wonder if over at Google the right hand knows what the left hand is really doing.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,70081-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_6">Google Spells Censorship in China</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Online search engine leader Google has agreed to censor its results in China, adhering to the country's free-speech restrictions in return for better access in the internet's fastest growing market.<br />n<br />nTo obtain the Chinese license, Google agreed to omit web content that the country's government finds objectionable. Google will base its censorship decisions on guidance provided by Chinese government officials.<br />n<br />nAlthough China has loosened some of its controls in recent years, some topics, such as Taiwan's independence and 1989's Tiananmen Square massacre, remain forbidden subjects.<br />n<br />nGoogle officials characterized the censorship concessions in China as an excruciating decision for a company that adopted "don't be evil" as a motto. But management believes it's a worthwhile sacrifice.<br />n<br />n"We firmly believe, with our culture of innovation, Google can make meaningful and positive contributions to the already impressive pace of development in China," said Andrew McLaughlin, Google's senior policy counsel.</blockquote><br />n<br />nThis whole episode really brings a question up in my mind. Did Google not release search results to our government to win points with free speech advocates in advance of their announcement limiting search results in China? Sure seems like it to me. I have to give them a big thumbs down overall for everything they have down over the past couple of weeks. Trying to make themselves look good prior to this announcement is hypocritical. Bad Google, bad.<br />n<br />n<b>Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain. Niccolo Machiavelli</b>