I sometimes disagree with choices Google makes, but one note they have consistently hit is the importance of transparency. As a corporate entity they are obligated to follow the rules in the countries in which they operate – as long as they want to work there.
This often means they have to be the tool of a repressive state by implementing censorship.
Well, sunshine, as Justice Brandeis observed, can be the best disinfectant. Google is hoping this will be the case with their new Transparency Report.
It’s not particularly sophisticated; just a bunch of pins (way too many pins) for governments that have submitted takedown or data release demands. Clicking on them gives you a bit more detail. There’s also a simple list of numbers for each country. (C’mon guys, you’ve got a lot of smart peeps with 20% of their time free; i’m sure you can do something prettier.)
It’s a start, anyway. The insidious problem of online censorship is that you may never know it is happening; this is one step towards making it clear to all.
Interesting highlights:
(h/t: NYT Bits, one of my faves.)
