Chinese Media Dismisses Claims About Google’s Return to the Country
Aug. 3, 2018Taking technology enthusiasts by surprise, Google is reportedly planning a re-entry into the Chinese market. ButChinese media has denied the veracity of the original report, saying
China Securities Daily, a state-owned newspaper, reported today that Google’s return to China might be a much distant affair than it seemed. The daily citedreliable sources including “relevant departments” of the Chinese governmentto back its claims.
It wasreported yesterdaythat Google is building a search platform including a mobile app customized as per the censorship guidelines of the country. Later, headlines about thecompany also building a news appcame to light, but all of this now appears worthless, considering the dismissal by the Chinese newspaper.Google’s HQ in Beijing; Courtesy:Digital Trends
It is likely that the Chinese authorities have dismissed the report in order to maintain the secrecy of project “Dragonfly” till launch. Alternatively, it is also possible that the authorities have canceled or postponed their plansin sight of the ongoing trade disputebetween China and the U.S.
However, one argument makes more sense than others. The breakout of the news about Google’s way back to China could have miffed authorities in the similar fashion as it did in the case of Facebook last week.
Recently a Facebook subsidiary wasgranted the license to operate in China. But, as the word started spreading worldwide, the censorship regulators began blocking news links on the country’s social media followed by removing the filing from China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. Eventually, thesubsidiary’s license was revoked.
While there is uncertainty about the truth of the matter currently, Google’s bid to comply with the Chinese regulators was criticized widely on the internet and the news could bring some temporary solace to the critics.
