"A former Google employee has warned of the firm's "disturbing" plans in China, in a letter to US lawmakers."

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-45653035

"A leaked Google briefing titled “The Good Censor” advises tech companies to move away from the “American tradition” of free speech if they wish to attract advertising revenue and continue global expansion."


https://web.archive.org/web/20181010...-advertiser-s/



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I am sorry I think this is relevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exeynyqLMDQ

From posted link;

Whether the above is true or not, of course they'd say that...

Sina Weibo already has beaten Google to the Chinese market and from what I know, the Chinese government keeps a very close eye on it's users too. I know why Google's doing their "internal research", because they would have to tow the Chinese government's line if they wish to do business there. Not to mention to agree to be spied upon. Why do you think they pulled out of China in the first place?

I don't see how any of this can be of a surprise to anyone. Sorry.

No not a surprise - but disconcerting. Even if Google is just late to the game in China, the very fact that they would do this is depressing. Then again, it makes sense that they dropped the whole 'don't be evil' thing. More like, "fsck it, it is more profitable to be evil". It is funny how idealism and principle die so easily and quickly.


Sorry - also relevant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjcJMcwBH-c - or tl;dw - basically we can't stop using said service - because we're hooked


I am desperately waiting for the Librem5 phone to be viable, and I am hoping that this Samsung J7 will be my last ever Android phone.

Not a total alternative - but at least this is an alternative to the Google Play Store: Aptoide

You know there are other alternatives to Google don't you? But yes, I will admit it maybe easier said than done...

EDIT: You beat me to it.

As Bryan Lunduke correctly indicated in my post #4 - the problem with alternatives is not just number of users - but content available. Again, the irony here while I desperately want the Librem5 to be a viable option - the one thing that flies right in the face of my own logic - is that I am kinda hoping it will be able to run Android APKs - because regrettably there are apps that I do need . Ergo, this is also why there are some out there that cannot just simple quit - say - Netflix, or Hulu - or (insert_service_here).

Dave Cullen of Computing Forever just released his take: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4JwQjCe_6w

How does an internal memo advise tech companies to do anything?

How does an internal memo, which points out what tech companies are already doing, advise those tech companies to do anything?

Someone who actually read the slides wouldn't just copy the headline verbatim.

The article conveniently leaves out the ending list of principles from the slides where they argue that Google should follow: Be more consistent; be more transparent; be more responsive, be more empowering. There's more to it than I've written, including interesting quotes to support each of the points. Don't buy into Breitbart's bullshit.

The fact that there are those in Google even entertaining the idea/notion of censorship should give you pause for thought. As for breitbart - what do you suggest as an alternative, huffpo?

here a non-breitbart source - https://www.rt.com/usa/440823-google...aked-briefing/ - oh but wait, it is from the evil Russians...

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CHINESE $$$ / AMERICAN FREEDOM: Google the "GOOD CENSOR"
https://www.scribd.com/document/3905...or-GOOGLE-LEAK

"A rare look at how the employees of the world’s most powerful search engine are trying to balance two opposing forces"

"A leaked research presentation put together by employees of Google shows the extent to which the search giant is grappling with decisions around freedom of speech and censorship. The presentation, leaked to Breitbart News this week and published in full by the organization, is titled “The Good Censor,” and it’s a mix of findings and insights based on interviews and contributions from a number of journalists, academics, and cultural critics. The aim, according to the first slide of the presentation, is to “reassure the world that [Google] protects users from harmful conduct while still supporting free speech.” "


https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/10/...research-china

"Some 800 anti-establishment accounts and pages have been yanked from Facebook in a sweeping crackdown the social media giant framed as a fight against spammers. RT talked to those who were targeted in the cleansing. "

https://www.rt.com/usa/441140-facebo...victims-speak/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgKIrMzLx4 - Facebook wants to be the "good censor" too


So, it has finally come full circle hasn't it? The left advocated for this, now they are surprised that they get the censorship bullet too? Oh lad, you naive fool.

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First they came for Alex Jones, but I wasn't an infowars fan
Then they came for the socialists, but I wasn't a socialist.

Gee, I wonder where does it stop?

You really need to look at the agendas of people like Alex Jones, he believes his own press. There's no way I'd rely on much if anything he says - he a crackpot. Don't you realize that? I'm not surprised they de-platformed him.

It stops when you stop believing the state based bullshi* from Russia. You really think the Russians have your best interests at heart? They have Russia's best interests at heart. While conspiracies exist, not everything is. Remember that if nothing else.

I don't care if Jones believes his press, you clearly missed the point. You seem the type to delight in his removal. I am not a fan of his, but you seem to support a precedent that is disturbing. The irony is also this is something that would happen in Russia not the states of all places. I will just leave you with this then, do not complain when whatever article you enjoyed reading or blog is taken down under the same premise, because you now implicitly support this. So enjoy.