Taking Over the World Google Style

Many people I talk to jokingly state that Google is trying to take over the world or at least the world wide web. Everyone gets a good laugh and since Google still has a fairly good relationship with most people the reaction is usually not negative. Recently there has been some buzz about Google looking to purchase some Chinese Internet companies. This makes sense since China is now the worlds fastest growing Internet population. Google dominates the Internet market in the US and other western countries so it would make sense to move into other growing markets like China. The question is whether this effort will lead to more people taking a negative view of Google and begin considering them on the same level as Microsoft.

Microsoft has many detractors. Most detractors don't like their monopolistic tactics and their stranglehold on the Operating System and office market. They are considered the 800 pound gorilla that holds control over the majority of the worlds computers. It took them a while to gain that reputation and it is very difficult to shed that label. Is Google going down the same road? Google controls search and they have been on a buying spree to control other Internet applications and properties. They have now become almost a monopoly when it comes to the Internet and eventually this will lead to negative reactions no matter how much they stick to their "Do No Evil" ideals.

With their attempt to gain control of the Chinese market they could spark some negative reactions. China has a huge population so the market is huge but there are plenty of issues with human rights violations and censorship by the Chinese government. For Google to succeed they will have to comply with the restrictions set forth by the Chinese government. By capitulating they could face the wrath of free speech advocates and human right advocates, which has the potential to put the company in a precarious position. Do they risk losing their good reputation in Western countries to gain a foothold in China? Is there anything they can do to avoid running afoul of Chinese authorities while providing unencumbered services?

There are many questions that need to be answered but if Google goes full force in China by removing free speech protections and allowing censorship they could have problems with many people. Gaining market share in China while losing it elsewhere could be disastrous and if they allow overt censorship they could be taken to task for their supposed commitment to not being evil. They need to tread lightly and figure out a way to gain mind share in China without losing their good reputation in the western world. I will be watching the developments closely to see what Google does and how it affects their current status in the world.