Google operating without Internet license in China

Chinese authorities are investigating US Internet giant Google for launching its local service without the proper license, state press reported. Google.cn does not have the Internet content provider (ICP) license necessary to operate in China, the Beijing News said. "Without a license, foreign capital is not allowed to engage in telecom business, including ICP operations," the paper said. The newspaper said the Ministry of Information was aware of the status of Google's Chinese operations and that authorities were investigating the incident. So far Google.cn is using the same ICP license as Ganji.com, a Chinese information website. However the paper said foreign Internet companies had previously used the ICP licenses of local enterprises. Executives at Google and Ganji.com could not be immediately reached Tuesday for comment on the report. Silicon Valley-based Google caused uproar when it launched Google.cn because it agreed to censor websites and content banned by China's propaganda chiefs. Other major US Internet and tech firms, such as Yahoo, Microsoft and Cisco, have also been criticised for complying with, or aiding, China's censorship efforts. With an online population of 111 million and growing, China is well on the way to becoming the world's largest Internet market, and many companies feel they cannot afford to miss out, observers have said.