Week in Review: Google stops censoring

Google quits censoring in China

After some big announcements and large threats from Google, the search engine has officially stopped censoring its search results in China.

Users will now be directed to an uncensored site in simplified Chinese although the company has had to warned users they may see a slowdown its service as information is switched over.

The move has received great praise from free speech campaigners but unsurprisingly the Chinese Government is less than impressed.

Budget confirms broadband tax

This week also saw Alistair Darling take to the stage in parliament to give his 2010 budget, the last before the next general election.

In addition to the usual raises on tax for cider and cigarettes, the Chancellor confirmed the controversial broadband tax of 50 pence a month on all landlines, aiming to raise money for the rollout of super-fast broadband around the UK.

He also promised more support for SMBs, with tax breaks and greater access to loans.

Best of the rest

Dell made its major announcements of the year including a new server line for cloud computing and more storage releases with EMC.

YouTube was knocked offline by a "technical issue", Twitter claimed to have reduced spam to just one per cent and the technology world celebrated Ada Lovelace Day.