Chinese authorities are probing US Internet giant Google for launching its local service without a proper licence, State press reported.Google.cn does not have the Internet Content Provider (ICP) licence necessary to operate in China, the Beijing News said. "Without a license, foreign capital is not allowed to engage in telecom business, including ICP operations," the paper said.
The newspaper said the ministry of information was aware of the status of Google’s Chinese operations and that authorities were investigating the incident. So far Goo-gle.cn is using the same ICP license as Ganji.com, a Chinese information website. However the paper said foreign Internet companies had previously used the ICP licences of local enterprises. Executives at Google and Ganji.com could not be reached on Tuesday for comment on the report. Google caused uproar when it launched Google.cn because it agreed to censor websites and content banned by China’s propaganda chiefs. Other major firms, such as Yahoo, Microsoft and Cisco, have also been criticised for complying with, or aiding, China’s censorship efforts.
The newspaper said the ministry of information was aware of the status of Google’s Chinese operations and that authorities were investigating the incident. So far Goo-gle.cn is using the same ICP license as Ganji.com, a Chinese information website. However the paper said foreign Internet companies had previously used the ICP licences of local enterprises. Executives at Google and Ganji.com could not be reached on Tuesday for comment on the report. Google caused uproar when it launched Google.cn because it agreed to censor websites and content banned by China’s propaganda chiefs. Other major firms, such as Yahoo, Microsoft and Cisco, have also been criticised for complying with, or aiding, China’s censorship efforts.