Google News is set to relaunch in China after a 10-month hiatus, the company announced on Tuesday. The service will be available in a new app called Google News Lite, which is designed to be lightweight and fast-loading..
Google News was first launched in China in 2010, but it was shut down in December 2021 after the Chinese government ordered Google to remove the service from app stores. The government did not give a reason for the order, but it is believed that the shutdown was related to Google’s refusal to censor search results in China..
Google News Lite will be a stripped-down version of the full Google News app. It will not include features such as personalized recommendations or the ability to save articles offline. However, it will still offer users access to a wide range of news sources, both domestic and international..
Google said that it is committed to providing Chinese users with access to high-quality news and information. The company said that it has worked closely with the Chinese government to ensure that Google News Lite meets all of the country’s regulatory requirements..
The relaunch of Google News in China is a significant development, as it marks the return of one of the world’s largest news aggregators to the country. It is also a sign that Google is willing to make concessions to the Chinese government in order to regain access to the Chinese market..
It is unclear how successful Google News Lite will be in China. The Chinese government has a long history of censoring the internet, and it is possible that the government will restrict access to the app or block certain content from being displayed. However, Google is betting that there is a large enough demand for uncensored news in China to make the venture worthwhile..
The relaunch of Google News in China is a win for users, as it will give them access to a wider range of news sources. It is also a win for Google, as it will allow the company to regain a foothold in the world’s largest internet market. However, it is important to remember that the Chinese government has the power to shut down Google News Lite at any time, so it is unclear how long the service will be available in China..