Google re-thinks China

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-approach-to-china.html

A new approach to China
1/12/2010 03:00:00 PM
Like many other well-known organizations, we face cyber attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. In mid-December, we detected a highly sophisticated and targeted attack on our corporate infrastructure originating from China that resulted in the theft of intellectual property from Google. However, it soon became clear that what at first appeared to be solely a security incident--albeit a significant one--was something quite different.

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.

We have already used information gained from this attack to make infrastructure and architectural improvements that enhance security for Google and for our users. In terms of individual users, we would advise people to deploy reputable anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on their computers, to install patches for their operating systems and to update their web browsers. Always be cautious when clicking on links appearing in instant messages and emails, or when asked to share personal information like passwords online. You can read more here about our cyber-security recommendations. People wanting to learn more about these kinds of attacks can read this U.S. government report (PDF), Nart Villeneuve's blog and this presentation on the GhostNet spying incident.

We have taken the unusual step of sharing information about these attacks with a broad audience not just because of the security and human rights implications of what we have unearthed, but also because this information goes to the heart of a much bigger global debate about freedom of speech. In the last two decades, China's economic reform programs and its citizens' entrepreneurial flair have lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese people out of poverty. Indeed, this great nation is at the heart of much economic progress and development in the world today.

We launched Google.cn in January 2006 in the belief that the benefits of increased access to information for people in China and a more open Internet outweighed our discomfort in agreeing to censor some results. At the time we made clear that "we will carefully monitor conditions in China, including new laws and other restrictions on our services. If we determine that we are unable to achieve the objectives outlined we will not hesitate to reconsider our approach to China."

These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered--combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web--have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.

The decision to review our business operations in China has been incredibly hard, and we know that it will have potentially far-reaching consequences. We want to make clear that this move was driven by our executives in the United States, without the knowledge or involvement of our employees in China who have worked incredibly hard to make Google.cn the success it is today. We are committed to working responsibly to resolve the very difficult issues raised.

 

The people who run Yahoo! were giving up information on whistle blowers and human rights activists on purpose to Chinese officials. China's relationship with search engines, message boards, and net-mail providers has long been known to be sinister.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo!#Work_in_the_People.27s_Republic_of_China

Here is Slashdot's coverage of the Google event.
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/01/12/2329231/Google-Hacked-May-Pull-Out-of-China

 

Google should've of know better to begin with. You can't run a company(especially in China)with a US mentality. This reminds me of what my former president of Dominican Republic told Bush.Sr a long time ago. "Don't tell me how to run my country, and I won't tell you how to run yours" Google, if you don't like China's policy GTFO.

 

Is there somebody who actually likes chinas policies?

 

I didn't know allowing free speech and thinking was a US mentality.

 

it comes and goes.

 

I get the horrible feeling that Americans that always bring up free speech have this idea that if you say anything against your government anywhere else you will have the police on you.

I have yet to have any problems saying what I want.

 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't know allowing free speech and thinking was a US mentality.</div></div>

U.S. Bill of Rights

Feel free to print that up.

 

Really? REALLy?

 

Man the truth of the matter is most Americans have no clue about the implications of free speech.


Also lol @ shinobifist - China: Love it or Leave it!

 

I think the truth is that most people have no idea about the basics/foundations of their respective governments.

 

Best part is that Chinas legislation DOES INCLUDE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH. The goverment just surpasses that and uses whichever other legal way to nab the 'heretics' it wants. Well at least they know that they have laws in there, they just ignore them.

 

China goes by "Rule Of Law" The Chinese Constitution is not treated as the supreme law, nor is it enforced. Freedom of speech in China is "very" limited. Alot of things were drop(In the Chinese constitution)since the students protest's in the 80's. Basically, Chiniese laws are more complex than the meaning of life. Is simpler when you see it like this, China>You.

 

U.S. Bill of Rights

Feel free to print that up.
</div></div>

I think you missed the point...
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PFFT. I thought it was common knowledge that the Chinese government trolled anyone they wanted, I mean, they're just a bunch of Shangs.