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What worries me is the precedent for each nation to be able to enforce it's idea of what speech is okay on google, for the whole world. Does google just have to
by mattnewton 9y ago
What worries me is the precedent for each nation to be able to enforce it's idea of what speech is okay on google, for the whole world. Does google just have to keep exiting markets when they have a disagreement about something, or do they keep delisting any result internationally to not offend Russia, or India, or whatever market next wants something removed. It was simpler to say "we don't do that outside your jurisdiction" before this precedent. I have no doubt they will be able to figure it out on a case by case basis though, it just gets far more complicated.
- mirimir 9y agoJust about everything is illegal somewhere. OK, so can Saudi Arabia force Google to delist everything that violates its laws about sexuality? Or Nigeria? What about China and the Dalai Lama? Thailand and its king? So then, who decides which national courts get global control?
- mattnewton 9y agoThe China problem example suggests that Google can stand up for freedom of information principles. But it can't just exit every large market.
- lazerpants 9y agoBut there are only 36 million people in Canada. It isn't a very large market. It would be interesting to see the political reaction to Google closing its three campuses in Canada. The PM went to the opening of the largest one, outside of Toronto.
- mattnewton 9y agoYou have to pick and choose your battles. I think you can only win when appealing to the court of public opinion if the other side is doing something the public could find odious. I think here it's too easy to paint it as David vs Goliath, and people aren't going to care about the slippery slope argument. And they aren't wrong, I certainly hope Google doesn't pull out of Canada over something like this.
- dublinben 9y agoI hope they do. Let Google show petty little governments that they cannot enforce their outrageous restrictions on free speech on a global, online network.
- loceng 9y agoSounds like there needs to be a new structure or organization to support this process. Could be a great way to track and display a public record exactly what's being delisted and where, and at whom's request.