Tell Google "Don't Be Evil!"

Google: Stop participating in China's Propaganda

Tibetans, their supporters, and Google users worldwide are outraged by Google's recent decision to join hands with the Chinese government in its propaganda efforts.  Google has custom built a web search platform that blocks access to unbiased information about Tibet, human rights and other topics sensitive to Beijing.  In doing so, Google isn't just helping the Chinese authorities by censoring "sensitive topics," it is enabling the Chinese government's propaganda by returning search results tailored to Beijing's repressive policies. For example, searching on "Dalai Lama" will only bring results portraying him as a "splittist."

Under China's totalitarian regime, the internet is a critical tool for Chinese citizens and Tibetans to improve their political situation. Google has become an active partner in the Chinese government's efforts to repress their own citizens along with Tibetans, Uighurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and anyone else standing up to Chinese authorities and demanding human rights and self-determination.   

Please speak out against Google's actions by sending the letter below and forwarding the new Google logo (brought to you by SFT) to your friends and family.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: "Don't Be Evil" - Stop Participating in China's Propaganda

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am outraged at Google's hypocritical decision to join hands with the Chinese government in its propaganda efforts. Google's decision to custom-build its search platform to Chinese authorities' specifications is more than just censorship. Its active participation in the Chinese government's efforts to repress and undermine Tibetans, democracy advocates, people of faith, and anyone working for freedom and human rights.

By censoring search results on critical topics such as "Tibet," you are promoting Beijing's wildly distorted version of history and truth. This is indefensible.

Under China's totalitarian regime, the internet is a critical tool for people seeking justice. Your decision to help the Chinese government thwart this effort renders your motto "Don't be evil" an ironic joke.

Please re-read your "Ten Things" company principles and do the right thing by ending your partnership with the Chinese government.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 27, 2006


Background Information

Tibetans, their supporters, and Google users worldwide are outraged by Google's decision to join hands with the Chinese Government in its propaganda efforts. Google has launched a web search platform custom-built to the Chinese authorities' specifications that blocks access to information about Tibet, human rights, and other topics sensitive to Beijing. In doing so, Google isn't just helping the Chinese Government by censoring "sensitive topics." What Google is in fact doing is enabling the Chinese government's propaganda by returning search results tailored to Beijing's repressive policies. Searching for "Tibet" will bring up only official Communist Chinese disinformation on Tibet. Searching for "Dalai Lama" will only bring up sites portraying him as a "splittist."

What's more, under the Chinese totalitarian regime, the internet is a critical tool for Chinese and Tibetans to improve their political situation. The effect of Google's partnership with the Chinese govermnment will be to thwart these efforts by denying them the information they seek.

Google has become an active partner in the Chinese government's efforts to repress their own citizens along with Tibetans, Uighurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and anyone else standing up to Chinese authorities and demanding human rights and self-determination.

To read Students for a Free Tibet's press release responding to Google's annoucement, please click here.