[bad_user]

You're presenting a false dichotomy.

Google would have lost to Baidu regardless and don't think for a second this wasn't factored in their decision.

The Chinese are known for degrading the online experience of western services in preference for local alternatives. This coupled with the fact that Baidu really is better for the Chinese market, just how Yandex has been better for the Russian market.

> Apple is actually implementing some pretty serious privacy features, like end to end encryption in iMessage and so on.

The end to end encryption in iMessage is shit because Apple is managing the encryption keys and if your adversary is the Chinese government you'll get fucked given Apple's newfound willingness to bend over.

[cromwellian]

Have you ever used Baidu? It's worse than Google even when searching for Chinese. Baidu did a few things well: it was good for finding pirated content and porn, but for actual research, it's horrible.

[Infinitesimus]

I don't think OP was saying Google would lose to Baidu because of quality, but because the Chinese government has deep fingers in Baidu there's a very good chance they will cripple Google's services in favor of Baidu's.