Banned by Google
Your cyberworld at war
Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Evorg | Discussion: Internet
As of 23 February 2006, SpaceWar.com is banned by Google Inc.
SpaceWar.com is a respected news site covering military related space activities for the international aerospace community. SpaceWar.com is part of the SpaceDaily.com domain, along with TerraDaily, MarsDaily, SpaceMart, SinoDaily, and SpaceTravel which is owned by Space. TV Corp. Contributing news feeds come from AFP, UPI, and SPX.
The reasons for the ban by Google Inc. are unclear. No communication by Google prior to the ban was given to Space, TV Corp. Google has not responded to requests for comments. Space. TV Corp is talking with legal advisors from the United States and Australia where the Web sites are based. Space. TV Corp views the ban as a violation of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
It will be interesting to see the response from Google, and to be fair I’d like to hear why Google imposed the ban. However, I've always felt that trying to control legal content on the internet is a dangerous precedent to set. So I'm more inclined to think that there are other reasons for the ban than content. It's just a little surprising that a respected news site was banned by Google.
SpaceWar.com is a respected news site covering military related space activities for the international aerospace community. SpaceWar.com is part of the SpaceDaily.com domain, along with TerraDaily, MarsDaily, SpaceMart, SinoDaily, and SpaceTravel which is owned by Space. TV Corp. Contributing news feeds come from AFP, UPI, and SPX.
The reasons for the ban by Google Inc. are unclear. No communication by Google prior to the ban was given to Space, TV Corp. Google has not responded to requests for comments. Space. TV Corp is talking with legal advisors from the United States and Australia where the Web sites are based. Space. TV Corp views the ban as a violation of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
It will be interesting to see the response from Google, and to be fair I’d like to hear why Google imposed the ban. However, I've always felt that trying to control legal content on the internet is a dangerous precedent to set. So I'm more inclined to think that there are other reasons for the ban than content. It's just a little surprising that a respected news site was banned by Google.
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bakerstreet
Reply #22 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1:28 AM
Reply #22 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1:28 AM
Not to play devil's advocate or anything, but businesses are often banned for padding their popularity in various ways like google bombing, etc. I remember about a week ago seeing some BIG businesses that had gotten caught doing it. I think BMW Germany was one. Not saying that this is the case here, but Google doesn't always block sites just based upon censorship. Most often they do it because of such abuses.
I have, though, seen at least one search I did come up with a DMCA link at the bottom that said some results had been blocked because of violations of such. Lots of things are going on with them, and many are dubious. Not saying they arent' being evil, just saying that they aren't ALWAYS evil.
P.S. when i type 'spacewar', that site comes up as the #1 hit. When you say banned, what do you mean? They don't seem to be delisted.
I have, though, seen at least one search I did come up with a DMCA link at the bottom that said some results had been blocked because of violations of such. Lots of things are going on with them, and many are dubious. Not saying they arent' being evil, just saying that they aren't ALWAYS evil.
P.S. when i type 'spacewar', that site comes up as the #1 hit. When you say banned, what do you mean? They don't seem to be delisted.
spudnut
Reply #23 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1:59 AM
Reply #23 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1:59 AM
I dig Google completely. I am totally plugged in to Google. Google tool bar is the best IE plug in ever. Gmail, Google Earth, Google desktop, I got it all.
I ain't afraid o' no Google.
I ain't afraid o' no Google.
Evorg
Reply #24 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:04 AM
http://www.spacewar.com/Google_Bans_Australian_Based_Military_Space_News_Website.html
I don't think it was because they were using a black hat optimizer like BMW did. It was probably all over Google AdSense contextual ads.
Reply #24 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:04 AM
| P.S. when i type 'spacewar', that site comes up as the #1 hit. When you say banned, what do you mean? They don't seem to be delisted. |
http://www.spacewar.com/Google_Bans_Australian_Based_Military_Space_News_Website.html
I don't think it was because they were using a black hat optimizer like BMW did. It was probably all over Google AdSense contextual ads.
Jafo
Reply #25 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:26 AM
Reply #25 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:26 AM
| I dig Google completely. I am totally plugged in to Google. Google tool bar is the best IE plug in ever. Gmail, Google Earth, Google desktop, I got it all. I ain't afraid o' no Google. |
In Australia in particular, 'spudnut' would translate as 'potato head' ...so, not to put too fine a point on it but.....your not being 'afraid' is quite predictable....
starkers
Reply #26 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 8:53 PM
Can't remember the movie the quote comes from off-hand....but he should 'be afraid, be very afraid' of Google...cos me thinks those who don't fear it will get burnt most at the end of the day. It's not so much what they put in your system when installing their products and services, but more what they take and store in the way of personal information......
Reply #26 Wednesday, March 1, 2006 8:53 PM
| In Australia in particular, 'spudnut' would translate as 'potato head' ...so, not to put too fine a point on it but.....your not being 'afraid' is quite predictable... |
Can't remember the movie the quote comes from off-hand....but he should 'be afraid, be very afraid' of Google...cos me thinks those who don't fear it will get burnt most at the end of the day. It's not so much what they put in your system when installing their products and services, but more what they take and store in the way of personal information......
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Reply #21 Tuesday, February 28, 2006 5:43 AM
Yep,that's exactly what it's all about....not servicing the Chinese but rifling their wallets/pockets/purses. Given that much of Google's revenue is derived from advertising sources, the 'infomation' obviously has a price.
The worrying part is when governments and their agencies become highest bidders to information regarding 'who' does what, when and where.
Governments are notorious for axing services and cutting back on resources, based on market research figures, etc....so it'd be an even scarier prospect if Google were to provide information allowing further cuts to public services.
If Googles databanks were kept for actual service provision, I'd not have such an issue with it, but all this information is collected and stored to serve only Google and its advertising associates...the goodies they throw in our direction are mere enticements to 'sucker thee unto them'