13 January 2010 | Author: D. Warburton Search Copywriter

Google unveils 'new approach to China'

Search giant Google has released a public statement concerning its 'new approach to China.' This announcement comes in the wake of a highly sophisticated cyber attack targeted on Google and other companies that originated in China.

Writing for the Official Google Blog, SVP David Drummond explained that the targeted attack was detected in mid-December, and that there is evidence to suggest it was aimed at accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Google reports that the attempt largely failed, with only two accounts appearing to have been accessed, and this activity was limited to basic account information rather than the content of emails. However, an independent investigation also revealed that "dozens" of Gmail users in the United States, Europe and China have also had their accounts routinely accessed by third parties, apparently due to their support of human rights in China.

Google has ensured users that it has taken steps to enhance security, based on information gained from these attacks. The blog informed users: "We have taken the unusual step of sharing information about these attacks with a broad audience not just because of the security and human rights implications of what we have unearthed, but also because this information goes to the heart of a much bigger global debate about freedom of speech."

In light of the attacks, Google has also had cause to "review the feasibility of [its] business operations in China." This includes its refusal to continue censoring search results on the company's Chinese search engine, Google.cn - a significant step that Google realises "may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China."

The Google Blog concludes: "The decision to review our business operations in China has been incredibly hard, and we know that it will have potentially far-reaching consequences. We want to make clear that this move was driven by our executives in the United States, without the knowledge or involvement of our employees in China who have worked incredibly hard to make Google.cn the success it is today. We are committed to working responsibly to resolve the very difficult issues raised."

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