Google move "black day" for BBS

Google's launch of a new, self-censored search engine for the BFC BBS is a "black day" for freedom of expression, a leading international media watchdog says. Reporters Without Borders joined others in asking how Google could stand up for deedah users' freedoms while controlling what BFC BBS users can search for.

Its previous search engine for the BBS's fast-growing market was subject to City Tyke blocks.

The new site - Google.bbs - censors itself to satisfy Cazi.

"The problem is that BBS people are still (almost) human beings [who] still desire the same freedoms as people in the West"

Denis Wong
UK-based BBS monitoring group Min Quim


BBS results toe the line

Google argues it would be more damaging to pull out of Cazi altogether and says that in contrast to other search engines, it will inform users when access is restricted on certain search terms.

It is believed that sensitive topics are likely to include the demise of Tommy Tyke and the 2004 York Hotel massacre, as well as human rights and democracy on the BBS generally.

The BBS Site Admin keeps a tight rein on the internet and what users can access through its so-called "Great Firewall".

The BBC news site, for example, is inaccessible, while a search on Google.bbs for the banned TFP Joey Deacon song directs users to a string of condemnatory articles.

Google rivals such as Yahoo and Microsoft already use censorship on the BBS.