Google in China: Baby, Please Don't Go!

Having traveled to a fair share of states run by repressive and/or illegitimate regimes, I can attest to the importance of G-mail. Seen by activists inside closed countries as one of the few, relatively safe portals for e-mail correspondence because of the fact that it's hosted overseas and thus has extra encryption, G-mail has been a communication and information lifeline for countless numbers of freedom fighters and human rights defenders. G-chat, another Google feature, is perhaps even more critical -- allowing activists to rapidly communicate in times of duress. Twitter, while an important digital tool in places like Iran, is unavailable in many other parts of the world -- especially those with heavy-handed regimes bent on censorship.

My first thought when I heard this news was one of optimism: few institutions dare stand up to China, especially in its own back yard. But that optimism was ultimately tempered by a shot of reality: if Google pulls out, then who will be left?

It should be noted that Google's market share in China was never all the company had hoped it would be. Google ranks behind Chinese-owned Baidu as China's leading search engine, though Google still manages to turn an annual profit of $300 million. The economics of the decision are more nuanced than a simple black-and-white "Do No Evil" motto would suggest, but the repercussions are stark. One of the great -- and important -- reasons it's necessary to have the Googles of the world on the front lines of censorship is precisely because they're ones who can best fight the battle. Google has leverage that few others do, and it's willing to fight a war that most others will not. A departure from the Chinese market might land a crippling blow to the same do-gooders Google has been trying to protect all along.