The Global Times on the Google Block

[Randy W]

Google block set to continue

 

One of the founders of censorship watchdog GreatFire.org, who asked not to be named, . . .

 

"Google products are critical for users in high-tech industry, especially programmers. Such effects might not be immediate, but over the long-term, the Chinese technology sector will lag behind if the block is permanent," he said.

 

He added that blocking an academically orientated product like Google Scholar is harmful to the development of science and technology in China.

 

Chinese tech blogger William Long told the Global Times Monday that the block would not affect Google's market share, as most users would use a type of virtual private network (VPN) to access the blocked sites, and would not shift to a domestic search engine such as Baidu. This is because people like to stick to websites they usually use.

 

The block on Google has spurred the VPN market in China. An anonymous Chongqing-based VPN retailer said he is dealing with more purchasing inquiries and more deals have been closed in the past week. Such a VPN can cost 98 yuan ($15.7) monthly for a single user.

 

. . .

 

A Google spokesperson told the Global Times via e-mail on Monday that the company "has checked extensively and there is nothing wrong on our end."

 

. . .

 

"This is more of a business problem rather than a political issue," a local expert in cyber security, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Monday. "As a company, Google should act in line with the regular management imposed by local government where it operates. But it left on its own several years ago. Now it just has to face the situation when it can no longer negotiate with authorities or local operators when problems occur," he said.

 

It is irresponsible for Google to shift its responsibility to its users, "who are furious over the situation," the expert added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The article states "Users cannot access google.com.hk either." This isn't correct for me - I am usually re-directed to the 'hk' site when accessing Google without a VPN. Just now, I was even able to access www.google.com directly, although a third computer seems to be unable to access even the 'hk' site without a VPN.

 

 

[Randy W]

According to our friend, SerpentZA, Google is now unblocked - that appears to be the case, at least from one of my non-VPN'd computers

But my guess is that it's simply back to the way it was before the Anniversary.