China, as we know, has always tried and have been very successful in controlling and limiting its people. China has asked Google to help them out in controlling and limiting the search engine that the chinese people use. Google took the job because it was a big investment and the Chinese government was willing to pay pretty well.
Google, last March, shut down its censorship in China because there were to many hackers trying to steal information from Google as well as other people. New York Times States:
"Just over two months after threatening to leave China because of censorship and intrusions from hackers, Google on Monday closed its Internet search service there and began directing users in that country to its uncensored search engine in Hong Kong."
New York Times reporters Miguel Helft and David Barboza go on to say that although the Chinese government was very unhappy, Google did not break any laws in their contract.
BBC Wold News covers this event and states, "Google has done what most other countries have wanted to do..." The rest of the video is here.
These Chinese hackers really knew what they were doing. This was not just some kid on a computer trying to be funny. This was a targeted attack. The Washington Post goes on to say:
"Google cited a major instance of that abuse in announcing its policy change: "a highly sophisticated and targeted attack" on Google and more than 20 other large companies aimed at stealing software code. "A primary goal of the attackers," Google said, was breaking into the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists"
Google and China have resolved their differences and still have their contract today. In recent news China is investigating and may procecute Google. Michael Kan, a writer for www.computerwold.com writes:
"China will investigate and prosecute Google next July if the search engine company does not acquire the necessary state license to operate its Google Maps service in the country, according to the government.
The deadline comes after the country's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping introduced regulations earlier this year that require all companies providing online mapping services to apply with the bureau for approval. Google has yet to do so, the bureau said in an e-mail, adding that after March 31 of next year, companies without the license will be exposed to the public."
Google and China have always butted heads, mostly due to Google not putting up with China's big brother attitude and the way they treat their people. I hope Google will keep fighting and show China where their place is.