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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: August 20th, 2023

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  • The West is significantly richer than most other countries. The countries outside the west that are also wealthy have deep trade connections with the West. These connections may be so that China may consider them effectively 'the West’s - Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore etc.

    China tries to expand it’s trading partners outside the West with its belt and trade initiative. But that’s expensive and controversial. As it often involves corruption and abuse carried out by Chinese businesses. It doesn’t appear as bad as 1800s colonisers, but in light of today’s sensibilities China often comes out badly.

    It’s still wise to build connections with growing economies. Often because the population is large and is set to become larger. However, China’s aggressive posture has destroyed relations with one of it nearest and largest growing economy India. India’s relations with the West isn’t great, it currently goes between Russia and the West. I think mainly to ensure advanced weapon supply in the event of escalations with China.


  • More than you think. They are also actively seeking ways to make that leverage effect more people.

    They are defining web standards. They control chrome and chromium. So all of the alternative browsers that aren’t safari and Firefox are using Google’s web engine. Even Firefox and safari are beholden to Google as they fund both these web browsers through their default search deals.

    Google after many failed messaging apps has taken on RCS messaging. They provide most of the supporting infrastructure through their Jibe servers. They don’t allow anyone but themselves and Samsung to make an RCS app on android. They also had a campaign to pressure apple to use RCS. It’s likely apple’s RCS will be following Google’s Jibe service closely, as they’ve already said their will work with Google on this. Google successfully got most RCS messages going through their servers, with apple on board with RCS itll see most SMS messages defaulting to RCS and most of those going through Google.

    They also have deep hooks into education market with their OneDrive/Google docs products and Chromebooks.

    Most privacy focused android alternatives recommend Google hardware.