Mediaboss Marketing

Google boss says censorship will end in a decade

Friday, November 22, 2013

Google boss Eric Schmidt has predicted that censorship could come to an end in a decade through the use of encryption to overcome government surveillance.

By Alina Selyukh

First they try to block you; second, they try to infiltrate you; and third, you win. I really think thats how it works. Because the power is shifted, he said. I believe theres a real chance that we can eliminate censorship and the possibility of censorship in a decade.

Mr Schmidt has long spoken out against limitations to the freedom of expression and restricted internet access around the world. Earlier this year, he travelled to North Korea, a country disconnected from the rest of the world, to promote the cause.

Its clear that we failed. But well try again. We have not been invited back, he said of the personal trip, the timing of which was criticised by the US State Department because it came shortly after North Koreas long-range missile launch.

And Google is now one of several tech firms embroiled in the controversy over the reach of US government spying. Top secret files disclosed by former spy agency contractor Edward Snowden have suggested the National Security Agency has tapped Googles and others communications links to aid in its gathering of intelligence.

At the time, Mr Schmidt said the NSAs activity, if true, was outrageous and potentially illegal.

Google, at which Mr Schmidt served as CEO until 2011, has faced its own criticism for intercepting data over the years. The company acknowledged in 2010 that a fleet of cars it operates to map the worlds streets had mistakenly collected passwords and other personal data from home consumers wireless networks over a two year-period.

More:
Google boss says censorship will end in a decade