Google Closes China-Based Search Site

Google and the People's Republic of China have had more than a few issues since Google's entry into the Chinese market in 2006. Most recently, after human rights activists' email accounts were hacked, Google announced that it would no longer filter search results as requested by the Chinese government. China responded by blocking access to a majority of Google's platforms.

On Monday, Google announced it would no longer operate its Google.cn search site based in China and has directed users to Google.hk out of Hong Kong. That site has now also been blocked by the Chinese government. Although Google holds only a 13 percent stake in the market, China is the fastest growing market and this makes the move by Google all the more important. Some believe this may hurt research and education involving China because the Chinese government may decide to block users outside the country from accessing information inside the country.

Source: CNN