Fergie's Tech Blog

Internet Firms Address China Practices

Yuki Noguchi writes in The Washington Post:

Major Internet companies doing business in China acknowledged to House subcommittees yesterday that China's censorship policies are troubling but defended their practices against criticism from some lawmakers.

Increased Internet use has become a double-edged sword for companies such as Yahoo Inc., Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp., all of which view China both as a giant business opportunity and a worrying regulatory challenge because of the government's censorship and human rights policies. Members of Congress and human rights advocates said the companies have made unacceptable compromises to advance their business interests.

"Your abhorrent activities in China are a disgrace," Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) said. "I simply do not understand how your corporate leadership sleeps at night."

posted by Fergie @ 2/15/2006 06:41:00 PM