Summary
Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Facebook, Bebo and many others that create platforms for free speech and the free distribution of content from anyone and everyone will limit new growth opportunities if they do not reconcile with the concept of "rights" within the borders of other nations like China, Thailand, Indonesia and others.
Analysis
Technology is an enabler of choice. We see this in email systems, social networks, cell phones, music players, television and many other places.
However, it’s important to recognize that American companies do not always have the same freedoms to pursue revenue growth and profits in the same manner as they do at home. The freedom of speech that is so richly possessed in America enables companies like Google, Yahoo! and others to achieve impressive economic growth. This may not be the case in other countries where citizens have different rules of speech and freedom. These limitations should be taken into account when projecting growth rates in growth markets like China, Thailand, Indonesia and others.
The commonly understood limitations on freedom of speech and other cultural boundaries are generally understood by the citizens of these nations. Just as they are by the employees of large corporations.
Employees of large companies understand that company networks are owned by the company and are governed by the company. As an employee I am taught and understand that if I take advantage of company networks for personal gain, aggrandizement or harassment of company values and objctives then I will suffer consequences (e.g. being fired, etc.).
The ability to censor inside a large corporation is a right that is widely defended and understood in the american populace. And yet, the same right to censor within a country is not given the same acknowledgment, support or defence.
Setting aside the political reasons, companies that enable choice for the citizens of these nations (China, Thailand, etc.) to improve their abilities to communicate need to reconcile the economic limitations that the limits on freedom of speech will have on their business models. It is not the same and we should not assume that growth rates within these nations will be the same as they have experienced in the U.S.
The recent move by Alibaba to potentially reacquire Yahoo's 39% of their company illustrates the point. The growth and value of Yahoo is much less for Microsoft if Alibaba is not part of the Yahoo acquisition.
YouTube's community guidelines state the site, "encourages free speach and defends everyone's right to express unpopular points of view." This may be great for an American company operating in America - but in other nations the company will have better growth opportunities if they temper their position on "rights" and focus more on their ability to "improve the flow of communication between individuals, families and governments." The share holders of Google and other companies like them will obtain more value and prominence in global markets if they do so.
YouTube has the technology. They just need to make wise choices.
