In America’s new cyberwar Google is on the front line

The conflict between Google and China is no run-of-the-mill business dispute. The corporate leviathan and national behemoth have come to blows in a serious skirmish whose outcome remains unpredictable. While mere mortals should be concerned if not afraid when rivals like these clash, the conflict does shine a light on what is going on in the hidden world of cybersecurity.

Without doubt the Chinese are up to no good. But it is hard to feel much sympathy for Google. As Faust, it entered into a pact with China by readily acceding to Beijing’s demand that the company censor its search results on Google.cn in exchange for a 30% share of the Chinese market. Do No Evil As Long As It Doesn’t Interfere With Your Business Plan. Well, Mephistopheles has now claimed his first payment, and Faust wants to pull out of the deal.

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In America’s new cyberwar Google is on the front line

- March 17, 2010 -

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