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Internet Yahoo Speaks Out on Chinese Censorship
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - February 14, 2006 4:25 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 8 comment(s) - last by Alexvrb.. on Feb 15 at 2:17 AM
Several search engine companies have had problems trying to operate normally in China -- an issue that will only get more interesting

Search engines are walking a fine line while trying to operate in China, especially on the controversial issue of censorship.  Rival search engine Google was highly criticized by experts and users alike when the company decided to bow down and agree to censorship rules from the Chinese government.  Although Yahoo has called for Internet freedom, the company was accused of passing information to the Chinese government that lead to at least one Chinese journalist being jailed.  The company has most recently called on the US government and media organizations to work together to try and come to some sort of agreement with the Chinese government.  

Regardless of what users around the world want, the Chinese government is most likely going to continue to force search engines to censor information.

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Possibilities are scary...
By brshoemak on 2/14/2006 9:58:23 AM , Rating: 2
Not saying this has happened, just hypothetical. -> It's one thing to censor search results limiting freedom of knowledge, but it would be inexcusable for search companies (Yahoo, Google) to give information to the Chinese government that could cause someone to be jailed limiting their physical freedom. I know these companies want to get in at the ground floor of what will surely prove a lucrative area, but if dollars take precedence over human rights (even in China) I wouldn't want those companies to remain in a free land.

not trying to preach and I doubt it would happen, i just hope levels of conviction aren't linked to profit margins/




RE: Possibilities are scary...
By Live on 2/14/2006 2:03:40 PM , Rating: 2
What do you mean this has not happened? It has happened and will again if something is not done about it.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/09/china....


By Lastfreethinker on 2/14/2006 2:35:39 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
It's one thing to censor search results limiting freedom of knowledge


I remember a quote

quote:
"Free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-cahined people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality...Beware of he would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master."


RE: Possibilities are scary...
By maxusa on 2/15/2006 12:38:36 AM , Rating: 2
Do you imply that the U.S. is the "free land"? How old are you? Born yesterday?


RE: Possibilities are scary...
By Alexvrb on 2/15/2006 2:17:17 AM , Rating: 2
Right, so how long have you lived in China? At least in the US I can openly badmouth our government/elected leaders/way of life/etc if I choose to be so petty. I can even join the people with apparentely no jobs and march in DC. I'd like to see you get away with such public displays against the government in China.


Oh well...
By BaronMatrix on 2/14/2006 11:36:33 AM , Rating: 2
There will probably be cases in the US where info can be divulged to authorities. Does anyone remember the Yahoo case where they refused to give the family of a slain serviceman access to his email account?

China is as China does. If they want to do business they will comply.




Its ok
By OrSin on 2/14/2006 3:00:07 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry butI with the Search engine that agree to do what the Chinese government tells them to. Like it or not thier are a recognized government and companies must live with their laws to operate there. They are cencorns only the .cn websites not all. Most people here would be pissed if some popular web site displayed Porn on thier front page. Saying in my country its ok, so the rest of the world has to deal. When in 20-30 years when America no longer has the power to enforce thier way of life on the rest of the world you are going to wish we could censor the crap that our kids will have access to. The chinese government is not the best int the work but don't blame google and yahoo and making a buck on them. It you want to do something about it don't buy any chinese products and let you money do teh talking. But I doubt anyone here will go that far.


Chinese Censorship
By rqle on 2/14/2006 6:00:50 AM , Rating: 2
chinese censorship is a topic we avoid around my family. we just want to see our uncle, at least give him a trail, it been too long, USA tried to help, but china refuse recognize him as a US citizen even though his whole family are. =(




"I'm an Internet expert too. It's all right to wire the industrial zone only, but there are many problems if other regions of the North are wired." -- North Korean Supreme Commander Kim Jong-il









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