Google Caves to China

Google is forsaking its commitment to openness in pursuit of the yen.

For the past three months, Google has been automatically re-directing Chinese Internet users to a non-censored version of the search site based in Hong Kong. But now that the company is seeking to renew its license with the mainland, it is directing to the Chinese site (google.cn), which will include a link for users to navigate their way to the Hong Kong version (google.com.hk).

Some don't think this capitulation will appease Chinese authorities. "If the Chinese government isn't happy with them running uncensored search results out of the Hong Kong site, I don't see why they'll be any happier just because it becomes one click away," Danny Sullivan, a search-engine analyst, told Bloomberg News.

Chinese officials have yet to comment.