Google is praised for its “Don’t be Evil” corporate motto, probably in part because it’s extraordinary–most companies’ codes of conduct address integrity and ethics without addressing issues of absolute morality.

Yet, along with this acclaim comes closer scrutiny. Google cannot simply say an action was a good business decision and makes money for the shareholders when the action helps oppress 20% of the world’s population.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Google has done–Google agreed to provide a Chinese version of Google search that purges any topics the Chinese government finds objectionable. Topics such as democracy, human rights, and oppression. That’s evil.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Google has censored the Internet at a country’s request; it did the same for France and Germany.