Voice of America
Washington February 16, 2011
Internet search giant Google and social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook are increasingly finding themselves caught in the middle of global political developments, and playing a role in those events. In some cases, as with the recent uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, they have been a part of the push to overthrow autocratic leaders. As Google has shown in China, the major Internet companies also have challenged government policies that appear to restrict free speech and personal privacy.
When Google executive Wael Ghonim re-emerged in Egypt earlier this month after being held by security forces for 12 days, he was welcomed like a hero by anti-government protesters in Tahrir Square.
Ghonim leads Google’s marketing efforts in the Middle East and North Africa. A Facebook page he launched before the mass protests began played a key role in drawing demonstrators into the streets – helping to launch the mass public uprising that ultimately ended President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.
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