Google Stonewalls Congress
The Congress’ Congressional Human Rights Caucus has requested that Google meet with it to discuss the ramifications of operating its business and search services in China. Google however, has refused to meet with the Caucus. No statement from either side has been given but there are other companies who have been called in as well. Human rights groups are calling Google out along with Yahoo but no progress is being made. Yahoo also, has not responded to the request for a hearing.
Google has done nothing illegal by choosing to deal with the Chinese government, so really they have no obligation to appear. Congress can request, Google can refuse.
It seems to me, though, that Google’s interests would have best been served by showing up and talking with the Human Rights Caucus. The company has claimed that they are concerned with human rights in China, but that they see pushing Google into China is better than the Chinese not having Google at all. That’s not a position I agree with, but at least it’s defensible.
Google could have met with this caucus and made their case again, but instead they’ve decided not to cooperate. I can’t help but feel that this decision isn’t going to work in their favor.
