How does Google justify working with the Chinese government but refusing to work with the US military?

Originally Answered: Why is Google refusing to work with the US military while working with the Chinese Government to implement an Orwellian censorship regime?

“It’s not personal. It’s strictly business.” — dixit Don Corleone

Google is a company and its only goal is to expand its business.

The administrative costs and PR risks of working with the US Military is higher than the money it may generate. Create more problems, make less money.

On the other hand, complying to Beijing’s rules means entering the Chinese market and instantly get access to almost one billion of new customers.

Google is more than ready to happily do anything Beijing will ask on any possible day - like Apple did before. Their current problem is that Beijing does not want to work with them, despite them trying very hard.

See also : Clément Renaud ‘s answer to Why should Google stay out of China?

This text was originally published in quora.