> That sounds nice in theory, but it doesn’t work that way in practice. You just end up corrupting your own principles in the end.
Maybe. But if you don't do it, a Chinese company will just clone your product, and they will be substantially more beholden to the Chinese government than you.
That line of thinking plays right into their game. A perfect way to rationalize compliance. But it’s based on the misguided concept that somehow access to American software services will push American values on the Chinese people. All the while, compliance with their censorship demands prevents that from actually happening.
The only way to play the game is to refuse their rules. So what if they clone your software? Let them.
I think the best approach would be to try to support users by making it easier for them to get access in spite of the great firewall.