[LINK] Memo: Google threatens to pull out of Australia

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Memo: Google threatens to pull out of Australia
By Brett Winterford
Apr 1, 2010 7:02 AM
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/171000,memo-google-threatens-to-pull-out-of-australia.aspx

Threatens to close Pyrmont office in response to Conroy's filter.

Internet search giant Google is planning to close down its Australian 
office in response to the Federal Government's plans to filter the 
internet, according to an internal memo sighted by iTnews.

According to the leaked memo, Google CEO Eric Schmidt canvassed the 
option in discussions with the US State Department on how to take an 
appropriate international stance on censorship earlier this month.

"We can't be compromised by the Australian situation," the memo reads. 
"We pulled out on the Chinese over their filter - it won't go unnoticed 
if we remain in Australia."

Tensions between the Federal Government and Google escalated on Monday 
evening, when Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told ABC Radio that 
the search giant should consider its own privacy policies before 
criticising those of elected governments.

Conroy said Google's motivations could be summed up in one alleged 
Schmidt quote: "We love cash!"

The memo canvasses the option of Google moving its handful of local 
switches and cache kit to New Zealand, mirroring the approach taken in 
China, where racks were re-located to Hong Kong.

A spokesman for Senator Conroy said his department had not received any 
communications from Google outside of its official submission to public 
consultations around the filtering plan and has not received any threats 
from Google to quit Australia.

"Maybe DFAT has been briefed, I don't know," the spokesman for Senator 
Conroy said. "Ask them?"

Colin Jacobs, vice-chair of Electronic Frontiers Australia said Google 
had made the "wrong move."

"After being assured by the Minister that the filter is benign and for 
our own good, EFA recently reversed its opposition to the plan," he said.

"Google's decision not to play by Australian law leaves Australians at 
continued risk of being bombarded by unspeakable obscenity every time 
they open their web browser, with nobody to help shield them. We can't 
help but wonder if this means Google is somehow pro-bestiality."

Representatives from Google were too busy enjoying April Fools Day!!! to 
make comment.

iTnews wishes all its readers a Happy April Fools Day.

-- 

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au