The proliferation and widespread use of the Internet all over the world has led to enormous international business opportunities for many American Internet-based businesses. However, these opportunities have brought along ßsome major ethical dilemmas when operating outside of the U.S. These companies have become the subjects of stringent regulations and thorough screening by the “Great Firewall” and are no longer able to abide by their fundamental corporate values. Even though some local activist groups blamed Google for acting as Nazi collaborators in China, I believe that the company has been taking the right steps and following the correct business strategy given the situation it has been in.
Instead of blaming and accusing the Internet search provider of deviating from its “Don’t be evil” corporate motto, those U.S.-based activist groups should take a look at China’s rapid transformation and democratization in the last 25 years. What is more important is the fact that this transformation has been substantially fueled by the operations of powerful American corporations in China that nevertheless has closely followed the communist party’s mandate. Given the fact that China is a communist state with a totalitarian regime in charge, even the echo of democracy, embodied by Google’s presence in China already seems like a miracle. While the freedom of speech and access to legitimate information is not in the Chinese government’s interests, Google’s main intention of increasing access to the world’s information is truly honorable. Therefore, my recommendation would be very similar to what the company has been doing for almost a decade now: it should continue providing its services in the 600-million user market while growing its user base and obeying the “rules of the party”. Furthermore, by maintaining its presence in China will Google be able to create a self-reinforcing business cycle. Chinese people would not only grow their attachment to the search service...