Computer hackers, censored searches, and more... I get Google's frustration, but I think its latest decision to postpone a mobile phone launch in China is plain stupid... unless it doesn't mind losing the largest mobile phone market on the planet. Am I missing something?

It'd be risky and ballsy -- no doubt about it. But as the WSJ reported last week:

"For years, Western companies have accepted that business is done a certain way in China—agreeing to government interference that wouldn't be tolerated elsewhere, from stifling free speech to setting up Communist Party cells."

I know we have a complex relationship with China (to say the least), but as a fierce supporter of free speech, I've gotta side with the Big G on this one. Enough compromising of your principles. Be a role model and get out now.

Whether Google pulls out of China or not is purely a business decision for it to make in the best interests of its company and stockholders. Politics or ethical onsiderations shouldn't enter into its decision. If it determines that the Chinese govmt. was rseponsible for its systems beiing compromised and customer accounts being hacked, or the govmt. knew or should have kwown about it and took no corrective action, Google should pull out of China,unless the Chinese govmt. publicly assures it that the Govmt. will do everything in its power to prevent those acts in the future.Of course its loss of revenue and profits in the fastest growing economy if it pulls out of China is a major consideration for Google.

they are negotiating.