BSR Insight | Responses to Google’s Move in China
Following Google's decision last month to reconsider its presence in China due to concerns about human rights infringements related to security, privacy, and free expression, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre collected a selection of commentaries and articles on the subject from NGOs, the media, and others. Below is a sample of those responses.
"Google's decision to reconsider its business in China is an indication of the tough choices information and communications technology (ICT) companies face around the world where respect for human rights is at risk."
—Global Network Initiative statement on Google's new approach to China (January 14, 2010)
"A transnational attack on privacy is chilling, and Google's response sets a great example. At the same time, this incident underscores the need for governments and companies to develop policies that safeguard rights."
—Arvind Ganesan, Director of Corporations and Human Rights, Human Rights Watch (January 12, 2010)
"[Google's] influence on the Chinese internet industry goes far beyond its role as a search engine; mostly thanks to its strong power of innovation. … The existence of Google in the Chinese market was always regarded as a motivation for Chinese internet ventures' efforts to innovate. Without Google, such motivation … would be gone."
—Lu Bowang, Managing Partner, China IntelliConsulting Corp. (Wall Street Journal January 13, 2010)
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