One problem with implementing Google Search in China is the country’s strict regulatory rules. Basically, the government wants a lot of control and limits exactly what Google would be able to show. Mountain View appeared to be nearing a search roll out in China through a development codenames Project Dragonfly. However, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has now said Project Dragonfly was nothing more than an in-house “experiment”. Pichai suggests the project was never supposed to reach a general release, seemingly killing Project Dragonfly in the process. Interestingly, recent reports have suggested Google was nearing releasing the search function for China. Google Search operated in China at one point, but the service was shuttered in 2010. Project Dragonfly was mooted as a version of search that complied with China’s laws. It was widely believed the service would launch.
Criticism
So, what happened? Perhaps the project failed to please to please Chinese regulators and Pichai is saving face by saying the project was just an experiment. It is also worth noting Google received criticism for the project, including from its own employees who were concerned by a China-specific search engine. “We urgently need more transparency, a seat at the table, and a commitment to clear and open processes: Google employees need to know what we’re building,” employees said.
