Google may launch censored search engine app in China

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google may launch a censored version of its search engine in China in a move that would largely reverse its 2010 decision to withdraw from the country, The Intercept reported. The news outlet says Google has been working on a project called Dragonfly since last year and has demonstrated a version of the censored search engine to Chinese officials. The Android app could launch in six to nine months as part of a joint venture with an unnamed partner company, likely in China. It would automatically block websites blacklisted by Beijing as well as search terms on human rights, democracy, religion, and peaceful protest, The Intercept said. "We provide a number of mobile apps in China, such as Google Translate and Files Go, help Chinese developers, and have made significant investments in Chinese companies like JD.com. But we don't comment on speculation about future plans," Google said in a statement.