China censorship damaged us, Google founders admit at The Guardian has a quote from one of Google’s founders, Sergey Brin, when asked about Google censoring content in China, “On a business level, that decision to censor… was a net negative.”
This is reportedly the strongest regret remark made by Google on their dealings in China. Forbes.com expands with more quotes from Brin, where he clarifies, that he felt oppression while in the Soviet Union and would “never have wanted to compromise in that direction.” Brin was arguing that some information is better than no information.
Philipp Lenssen also has good commentary on these statements.
Related Topics: Google: Critics | Google: Outside US | Legal: Censorship
What is not clear is if they are saying it was better to not do any business in China – unless complete search freedom was given.
Sometimes, it is better to initially compromise to get into the door – then negotiate little by little.
It’s good that they feel regret – they should listen to that “still small voice” within telling them that they dropped the ball. Perhaps not agreeing to comprimise may have set them back a bit in the Chinese markets, but you can’t stop ideas. They’re like air… or poison gas as the Chinese government may have one believe.
Sure it’s easy for me to say “stick to your guns” and forget the money, but I think Google founders know that the overall impact of the Internet on the future of this planet and Google’s role in shaping it will be far more important in the long run than profits.
Regardless of where one believes they go when they die, you don’t take it with you :)