Is Google Censoring in the United States?

February 20th, 2006
Posted by Travoli in General Comments
UPDATES BELOW! News stories have reported Google’s decision to censor content within China. But is Google also censoring content in the USA? Searching for "big boom" on Google’s own video search service returns a listing for this video of an IED explosion. The description is as follows:

17 sec - Oct 25, 2004
"Detonation of Improvised Explosive Device used against Coalition forces. We found this one before they could use it against us."

 Instead of a video playing, a message appears, stating:

"This video is not playable in your country."

In your country? My country is the United States of America! This is a standard Cox Communications cable connection located in Virginia, USA. Checks with several friends indicate that this "not available" message is showing up in the United States, but friends in Canada and South America are able to view the video. Military operations are certainly a point of controversy right now, but I would expect Google to present all available information within our democratic borders. Is Google censoring information in the United States? 

Update: There are more of these censored videos.

Update 2: NO CENSORSHIP. Google has clarified its message. The “not available” message has changed to:

“We’re sorry, but the provider of this video, not Google, has chosen to disable playback in your location.”

Uploaders have the option of choosing which countries they want having access to their videos. These partuicular videos were blocked for viewing in the USA by the person who uploaded them. Thanks for setting the record straight, Google.

I understand licensing issues can complicate content distribution, but the vast majority of videos uploaded to video.google.com don’t need the option to block countries. Why would Google create a giant library of content which is only partly viewable? Furthermore, why show blocked content in search results? That just frustrates users.

6 Responses to ' Is Google Censoring in the United States? '

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  1. The Skeptic الشكاك » Is Google Censoring in the United States? said, on February 21st, 2006 at 7:11 am

    […] So asks Travoli, who normally posts witty reviews of gadgets large and small. Google Videos featerures short clips of improvised explosive devices exploding. Travoli reports that friends in Canada and the South America were able to watch the videos, though he wasn’t. Friends of mine in England, Canada, and the United States were able to confirm that, yes, the videos are available everywhere in the world but in the United States. […]

  2. saschameinrath.com said, on February 21st, 2006 at 9:54 am

    Forget China… Is Google Censoring Information Right Here in the US?

    Seems everywhere I turn I can’t help but notice that Google’s business decision to collaborate with the Chinese government to censor Internet content has been widely frowned upon. So it’s with great trepidation that I read about possible censorship…

  3. martini said, on February 22nd, 2006 at 4:24 pm

    We’re sorry, but the provider of this video, not Google, has chosen to disable playback in your location.

  4. steve's gallery said, on February 22nd, 2006 at 4:45 pm

    A little IED never hurt anyone…

    Is Google censoring in the United States?
    Are they applying the same standards to American internet users as they are to their Chinese users?
    Do I care?
    A story about Google censoring parts of their video service in the United States has been making the

  5. TroubleMan said, on March 2nd, 2006 at 8:01 pm

    You can view the videos via a proxy server. Here’s how to use one:

    http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364×560611#560931

    I followed the link from DU, and found you here. Hope it help you to see the videos.

  6. jacob said, on March 13th, 2006 at 1:28 am

    TroubleMan guess i tried your link too late (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364×560611#560931

    it’s been blocked. bummer i really wanted to see what i was missing in the freedom of my own country protected by the united states government that is protecting me from seeing their video in the freedom of my own home j. march 12 2006

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