Wired reports that China and Google are close to wrapping up talks over the search giant’s threat to withdraw from the country if it is forced to continuing censorship of results.
In the piece our old friend Mr. Anonymous Source suggests that Google would be willing to step up censorship of gambling and porn if they were allowed complete freedom on political search results.
If China agrees, it would be a very positive signal after a lot of really bad signs. But color me dubious – the idea that the PRC is throwing the towel in on thought control would mean they are toying with political pluralism.
“Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” may imply full-blown robber baron capitalism, but it definitely doesn’t have much room for democracy.
