Microsoft and Google Incubators’ Ties to Chinese Tech Companies Supplying Censorship and Policing Tools
The involvement of major tech firms like Microsoft and Google in supporting Chinese startups that develop censorship and policing technologies is raising ethical and geopolitical concerns. Publicly available information reveals a connection between these Silicon Valley giants and companies actively engaged in providing tools for surveillance and control within China. This collaboration is particularly relevant in light of potential shifts in US foreign policy and its implications for the tech industry.
Data Grand: A Case Study in Collaboration and Controversy
One notable example is Data Grand, which was incubated by Microsoft in 2017. Data Grand specializes in text processing and automation and, according to its online communications, has been involved in providing censorship tools since at least 2017. Moreover, the company has supplied automation software to the Chinese police since at least 2020. This scenario highlights the complex interplay between Western tech giants, Chinese startups, and the Chinese government’s efforts to exert control over information and maintain social order. This type of collaboration, if present in African countries, would raise major red flags on issues such as digital authoritarianism.
The ongoing collaborations between Western tech firms and Chinese companies involved in surveillance and censorship technologies are likely to attract increased scrutiny, particularly from Washington. The future of these incubator programs and the broader technological partnership between the US and China may be heading towards an uncertain future.
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Related Keywords: Chinese startups, Microsoft incubator, Google incubator, police collaboration, Chinese tech companies, startup support, incubator programs, tech startups, law enforcement, China
