Google is testing a mobile version of its search engine that would adhere to China’s strict controls over content, a person familiar with the matter said
Plans for Google’s censored search product aren’t completed and it may never come to fruition, the person said. Chief among the hurdles, Google would need approval to re-enter the search market from Chinese authorities, who currently block access within the country to Google’s search engine as well as many other foreign news and social-networking sites.
Google’s Chinese search effort, which was reported earlier by the Intercept, is coming to light at a time of rising trade tensions between the U. S. and China, which could also complicate Google’s plans.
If the effort were to proceed, it would mark a dramatic about-face for Google that is certain to fuel controversy among human-rights advocates and many of its own employees, as well as U.
