Google links phone numbers to Chinese search engine prototype

Beijing, September 15

Google has developed a prototype of the censored search engine for China codenamed “Dragonfly” that links users’ search history to their personal phone numbers, the media reported.

This means if security agencies were to obtain the search records from Google, individual people could easily be tracked and users seeking out information banned by the government could potentially be at risk of interrogation or detention, The Intercept reported on Saturday.

The search-engine giant is reportedly developing the “Dragonfly” browser especially for China, that would remove content deemed sensitive by the country’s ruling Communist Party regime, including information about political dissidents, free speech, democracy, human rights and peaceful protest.

According to sources familiar with the project, “Dragonfly” would be operated as part of a “joint venture” partnership with a company based in mainland China and people working for this venture would have the capability to update the blacklists of the search-terms, the report added.

However, citing lack of corporate transparency on the project, seven Google employees, including former Google Senior Scientist Jack Poulson have resigned so far.

“I view our intent to capitulate to censorship and surveillance demands in exchange for access to the Chinese market as a forfeiture of our values and governmental negotiating position across the globe,” the report quoted Poulson as saying in his resignation letter.

Nearly 1,000 employees also signed an open letter asking the company to be transparent about the project and to create an ethical review process for it that includes rank-and-file employees, not just high-level executives.

Last week, 16 US lawmakers addressed Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressing “serious concerns” about “Dragonfly” demanding information about the company’s China plans, the report noted.

“Dragonfly” has also come under heavy criticism from a former Asia-Pacific head of the tech giant, who called it a “stupid move”.

Google had launched a search engine in China in 2006 but pulled the service out of the country in 2010, citing Chinese government efforts to limit free speech and block websites.

The company has so far declined to publicly address concerns about this project.  — IANS