Google does not censor: take action to defend freedom of information

Google headquarters, Mountain View, California
© AP GraphicsBank

Google is aiding the repression of freedom of information and expression in China.

Early in 2006 Google launched a self-censoring Chinese search engine, google.cn. This version of Google (called “Gu Ge” in Chinese) affects Chinese users by restricting search results for topics such as “human rights”, “political reform”, “Tiananmen Square” and “Falun Gong”, among others.

Google.cn is an alternative to Google’s existing search engine based outside China (Google.com), which is not actively restricted by the company. Although the non-censored version continues to be available to all Chinese users, searches need to pass through China’s firewall, which censors politically sensitive terms.

Google has stated that self-censorship is a requirement of doing business in China. While admitting that filtering its search results compromises its mission, Google has emphasized that it has made certain concessions, including informing users where information is being censored.

Yet these forms of censorship seem to contradict the very principles that Google - whose unofficial motto is “don’t be evil” - was founded upon.. Until January 2006, Google’s Support Centre claimed that it “does not censor results for any search term”, but removed this claim after reaching its deal with China.

These restrictions also go against the constitution of the People’s Republic of China, which guarantees freedom of expression. Furthermore, China has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to seek, receive and impart information, as an important component the right to freedom of information..

Google’s inadequate policy and practices regarding the protection of human rights in the context of censorship is not just a concern in China, but around the world, as Google expands into other markets with equally complex human rights environments

AI Addresses Google AGM (11 May 2006)

Take action!

Write to the Chairman and CEO of Google.

Dear Mr. Schmidt:

I am alarmed that in the pursuit of new and lucrative markets, your company is contributing to abuses of freedom of expression and information. This issue is especially evident in China, where Google has agreed to restrict search results for topics including “human rights”, “political reform”, “Tiananmen Square” and “Falun Gong”, thus denying users of google.cn the ability to access the full range of information available internationally on human rights topics.

Though I acknowledge the policies recently adopted by Google to address some of these issues, including efforts to inform users that a search has been censored, I am still disturbed that the company continues to restrict search results in its local search engine. I urge Google to take further steps in this matter, including making public a full list of censored words and phrases  The fact that the company acts in compliance with restrictive domestic law does not exempt it from its international human rights responsibilities if complying with such request contributes to human rights violations. 

Internet companies have an invaluable role to play in the realization of freedom of expression and information – it shocks me that Google would compromise this goal in pursuit of profit. Therefore I urge Google to: 

- Be transparent about the filtering process used by the company in China and around the world and make public what words and phrases are filtered and how these words are selected

 - Put pressure on the Chinese government to remove blockages, stop the filtering of key words on the Chinese internet, including words such as democracy, human rights, freedom and Falun Gong, and ensure the Chinese public have uninhibited access to the full range of information available on the web in line with international standards on freedom of expression and freedom of information.

- Develop an explicit human rights policy that states the company’s support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and complies with the principles articulated in the UN Norms for Business. In this light, make clear to the Chinese authorities, as well as to the global community, that Google is not willing to assist governments in implementing their systems of internet censorship, nor providing information directed at restricting freedom of expression.  

Thank you for your consideration of these demands. 

Sincerely,

You can copy and paste this sample letter into an e-mail or a document to print out. If you are planning to write your own appeal please read our letter writing guide.

Please send appeals to:

Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO
Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View,
CA 94043
USA

Fax: +01 650-618-1499

Salutation: Dear Mr. Schmidt

You can also contact the Google Help Center with your complaint.
Visit www.google.com/support/bin/request.py and select "I have a general question about Google." In the next menu select "Reporting a problem", "Suggesting a new feature", or "Other". In your message express your concern about Google aiding human rights abuses in China, and request that Google 'feature' respect for universal freedoms everywhere they operate.

Please let us know if you have taken this action

20 July 2006 - POL 30/030/2006 (updated from POL 30/015/2006) - WA 12/06

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