[baybal2]

Don't forget how it started at Google.

Long before they claimed that they scan email for child porn, they made an email scanner to appease China, on a condition they will not target dissidents.

I think all remember how it went. Seeing their intimidation work, it only fired up the Chinese government, and led them to only increase their attempts at arm twisting, until Google clumsily pretended to "be tough" while still doing their last attempt behind the scenes negotiations, which, to their big surprise, got them banned overnight.

[panarky]

Don't forget how Google admitted their mistake and withdrew from the Chinese market.

Even though Google could have made a ton more money by helping China to build the tools of repression.

Don't forget that other large US corporations like Microsoft, Apple and Activision do build censorship tools and participate in repressing dissent.

[woofie11]

My recollection was that Google was outgunned by Baidu and similar Chinese tools, who were being actively supported by the CCP, while Google was half-tolerate. At the same time, it was losing security, IP, and reputation. There was a nice PR play around it, but I don't think "Google could have made a ton more money by helping China to build the tools of repression." It's better to build those in-house.

[baybal2]

> Don't forget how Google admitted their mistake and withdrew from the Chinese market.

Which I point to the decision they came inadvertently. It was their intention to play games with the regime which backfired on them, not vice versa.