Google encrypts searches in China

Google has started to encrypt searches made by people in China. The move is widely seen as a way for users of the search engine to avoid official scrutiny of where they go online. It is also seen as a reaction to continuing revelations about the extent of surveillance of web browsing habits by the National Security Agency (NSA). Google said it was now encrypting all the text involved in searches "by default" around the world. Users in other countries have had the option to encrypt searches since 2010, according to BBC.