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The State Dept. isn't playing second fiddle. They simply can NOT come out as publicly as Google did, for many reasons. As the "official" foreign voice of the
by maukdaddy 17y ago
The State Dept. isn't playing second fiddle. They simply can NOT come out as publicly as Google did, for many reasons. As the "official" foreign voice of the US Govt there are serious repercussions to coming right out and accusing China. Secondly, they would not tip their hand on any intelligence they received, or were actively receiving, on Chinese infiltrations in cyberspace.
While our Gov't isn't very good at some things, I can guarantee that they were aware of what was going on. There have been many well-publicized instances over the past 10 years where the Govt' has uncovered intrusions into commercial companies.
- mixmax 17y agoThat's exactly my primary point - Government, as you say, can not come out publicly and have their hands tied in many ways. Google can, and this, combined with their size, konwledge and brand, makes them a strong player in international politics. In this particular instance they are clearly the lead that everyone else, including the state department, follows. As for your second point, I totally agree. There might be a good chance the government knew, I'm no security expert so I'll refrain from taking a stance. That's why I added the footnote :-)
- RyanMcGreal 17y ago> Google can, and this, combined with their size, konwledge and brand, makes them a strong player in international politics. Nothing new here. Big business has been taking a leadership role in international politics for decades. See: WTO.
- mixmax 17y agoYou're right, and it seems to be an escalating trend. There are plenty of examples, but none as big as this. Maybe there will be more if the trend continues.
- madh 17y agoThe corporation has been immensely powerful for hundreds of years, e.g., United Fruit and British East India Company.
- ajb 17y agoI'm not sure Google were wise to be all that public about this either. If China decides to bear a grudge, things could get very nasty for them.
- deleted 17y ago[deleted]
- plinkplonk 17y ago"If China decides to bear a grudge, things could get very nasty for them." How? Once Google moves out of China what can the Chinese government do to them?
- mattmanser 17y agoAttack them daily
- weavejester 17y agoHow so?
- ajb 17y ago'who will rid me of this turbulent priest?'
- weavejester 17y ago
- jbooth 17y agoMoreover, Page and Brin met with Obama once or twice during the campaign for some pretty in-depth meetings. More than the government "knowing", this response could very well be deniably calibrated with the US government's knowledge and advice.