Google cancelled the project named “Isolated Region,” in May partly due to geopolitical and pandemic-related concerns. The cloud project was meant for China and other countries as part of a larger initiative called “Sharded Google”. Isolated Region intended towards countries that would like to control the flow of data within their borders. And, the project began in early 2018. However, China introduced regulations for foreign tech companies. This was to form a joint venture with a local company that would hold control over user data. Chinese authorities’ had concerns that the US government could conduct covert surveillance of Google’s cloud networks. However, following the rules would have satisfied China.
Reasons for cancellation
Cloud Act passed, in March 2018 increased the concerns. The act granted the US law enforcement agencies powers to request access to personal data stored by American tech companies. The US access to stored data on data centres outside the US was however mandatory. Not to mention, Google decided in January 2019 to momentarily pause the version of the product for the Chinese market. The speculated reasons were tensions between the US and China over President Trump’s trade war. Also, existing privacy concerns related to doing business with the Chinese government added to it.
Clarification by Google
Google, however, said that the cloud project shutdown in China was not due to speculated reasons. They confirmed the Cloud project cancellation. Nevertheless, they did not address reasons like geopolitical concerns or pandemic. ‘Google has not weighed options to offer cloud platform services in China’ as per the clarification. “Isolated Region” was to address requirements related to the adoption of cloud technology. The paths explored was just one among many by the company according to the spokesperson. The company added they were actively pursuing other approaches that offered better outcomes.
For more news visit: Aware Earth
