Google Driving In China Without License?

Google Driving In China Without License?

Despite operating in China without its own license, Google.cn is not breaking any local Chinese rules according to Google. A Google spokesperson told the TimesOnline that Google China is using the ICP license of their business partner Ganji.com.

“Google has a partnership with Ganji.com through which we have the required licence to operate the Google.cn service in China.” The Google spokesperson told The Times.

The notion of Google operating and censoring Google China info without a license is going to add fuel to the International fire against Google confirming to Chinese information laws, but according to Google’s statement the deal seems like a non-issue.

Of course, if Google is illegally operating in China without a license (apparently Chinese authorities are investigating the matter), wouldn’t that be sweet vengence for the critics of Google China.

“In order to operate from China, we have removed some content from the search results available on Google.cn, in response to local law, regulation or policy. While removing search results is inconsistent with Google’s mission, providing no information (or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information) is more inconsistent with our mission.”

So, the question now is Google legally operating in China? Or is this license business just a bunch of anti-China propaganda?

Written By:
PG

Loren Baker | Search Engine Journal | @lorenbaker

Loren Baker is the founding editor/creator of Search Engine Journal and remains an advisor and Editor In Chief to this publication.

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Comments

  1. Mike says:

    Google just doesn’t know how NOT to cause controversy do they?