Considering Google has forfeited a lot of money over many years for resisting Chinese censorship I would say they're more trustworthy on this issue than Apple or Microsoft which have both publicly caved. The remnants of the "Don't be evil" culture is what allowed Dragonfly to be resisted. No such culture exists at Apple or Microsoft.

I hear what you're saying, however, that is exactly the issue. It's remnants, a "vocal minority" within Google using their moral compass to resist.

Because it is coming "from the bottom up" it can't be relied on when Google can pull the plug on these people at any point if they resist too much.

I can't say much for Apple/Microsoft, but to be safe I would tar them with the same brush.

Yes maybe Google resists the Chinese, but what about Russia?

https://www.wired.com/story/russia-apple-google-voting-app-n...

Surely nobody on HN trusts Google in this way (or any other for that matter), but the referenced comment is useful for educating our less-aware peers (usually those outside our industry), allowing them to come to more informed conclusions on Google. Forewarned is forearmed.