NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Microsoft Joins with Chinese Search Giant Baidu to Provide Censored Search
Microsoft Joins with Chinese Search Giant Baidu to Provide Censored Search
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000876.html
Chinese search giant Baidu (80% of the Chinese search market) now has
a willing partner to officially provide its censored English-language
search results -- Microsoft's Bing ( http://j.mp/lf8tdu [Reuters] ).
In a carefully worded statement, Baidu explained that Microsoft was
not submitting to "any further" censorship or restrictions on its
English search results "than they already do." In other words, the
same level of censorship that Microsoft servilely performs now to
maintain its Chinese presence, will continue under the new deal.
Microsoft's ethical vacuity in this area is no surprise. A year and a
half ago, in "Microsoft's Ballmer to China: Forget Google -- If You
Want Censorship, Come to Bing!" I noted that Microsoft had made its
willingness to kowtow in the face of China's censorship demands very
clear indeed ( http://j.mp/7O79ST [Lauren's Blog] ).
But by officially joining with Baidu in this way, Microsoft has now
become a full partner in China's oppressive censorship regime.
Microsoft's business reasons for this coupling are clear enough. What
they are doing is perfectly legal, and viewed strictly in terms of
their bottom line, arguably makes sense, at least in the short run.
But on the Fourth of July in particular -- a day steeped in meaning
with its connections to our Bill of Rights and free speech -- it's
difficult to paint Microsoft's deal in this case with other than a
thick coat of shame.
Have a happy and safe Independence day!
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance: http://www.gctip.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Google Buzz: http://j.mp/laurenbuzz
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com