Googling Google

"Don't be Evil." If Googled Google's Code of Ethics, this would be the first thing you would read. In Business Management, we have just concluded our Ethics unit. We looked up the Codes of Ethics of many companies - from Enron to Nike to Google. I have heard about some new policies that may take place between Google and China recently and came back to the subject today. In China, there is censorship on some pornographic and political content on Google.cn. Google has recently found that they are disagreeing with the policies they once upheld regarding censorship, and want to discontinue their services in China, even though it would mean a great loss in profits. China still wants to regulate what viewers will see, but advertisers are fearing for a great loss in profits. So, both sides of the conflict have been waiting impatiently since January.

Google goes on to say in their Code of Ethics,

"Yes, it's about providing our users unbiased access to information, focusing on their needs and giving them the best products and services that we can. But it's also about doing the right thing more generally -- following the law, acting honorably and treating each other with respect."

Is this an advertisement or this the truth? Would Daniel J. Boorstin call this good advertising and news? Would leaving be Google's very own Declaration of Independence? Is this a move that will bring profit despite the great losses because people love to support the Freedom of Speech and Anti-Communist ideas?

What do you think Google will do? Consider its past and the way it treats their employees (they have a dog policy in that code, I love it).