Google Releases Censorship Information

U.S. Internet search giant Google announced the number of requests by each government and investigative organization for users’ data and removal of content information on the 20th. The information was consolidated for half a year from last June to December, and it is said that the information will be released every half a year.

Google commented, “From this announcement, the data speaks for itself that governments’ attempt to control Internet information is increasing by regulating the current status of censorship and users’ data.” With the increase of information transparency, Google is targeting unnecessary government intervention.

The attempt to control Internet information by governments is increasing, and based on Google’s announcement, governments are going to have to deal with this increased transparency. Google appears to be aiming for unnecessary government intervention.

This announcement was aimed at Google’s operations in about 100 countries. Its affiliated business Youtube is also included.

The release of user information is at the core of this issue. The most requests that Google provided were from Brazil — 3663 cases — followed by the U.S. with 3580 cases, and then UK’s 1166 cases. Japan has 44 cases.

It is said that the removal requests are made based on defamation and court orders. Two of the countries that made the most removal requests were Brazil (291 cases) and India (142 cases). While Holocaust denial is illegal, Germany’s requests to remove websites that contained related content puts it in 2nd place with 188 cases. Japan has fewer than 10 cases.

Not all removal requests are accepted. In 2009, a Canadian politician asked for a blog to be removed, but his demand was rejected.

On the other hand, China was firm in its opposition to Google’s transparency. When asked about this, they commented, “China cannot disclose its state secrets.” Thus, on the Google world map, there can only be a question mark over China.