Google, Microsoft help found anti-censorship group
updated 11:50 am EDT, Wed October 29, 2008
New anti-censorship group
Google, Microsoft and Yahoo are among the founding members of a new anti-censorship group called the Global Network Initiative, reports indicate. The organization also has the backing of investor, human rights and press freedom groups, such as the Center for Democracy and Technology. The GNI is specifically aimed at forming a consistent approach to dealing with countries that block free speech on the Internet, such as China. Many governments around the world filter search results, or simply prevent citizens from accessing certain websites.
Participation in GNI marks a reversal of policy by the three tech companies, which have in the past been accused of collaborating with governments to censor websites, or even helping to hunt down political dissidents. It is in fact uncertain to what degree the corporations will actually protest government actions; human rights motions were voted down at the last Google shareholder meeting, and Microsoft is said to have published a paper indicating it would continue to follow local censorship restrictions, regardless of whether they violate rights held elsewhere.
Do people
10/29, 12:41pm reply
give a c*** about whether or not you can get the information you need to make informed decisions?
Maybe.
Time will tell if this group actually does anything more than enable on going cooperation in restricted access while giving the various individual companies the ability to point to their membership in this "anti-censorship group."
Cynical much?
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
B effin S
10/29, 01:16pm reply
This is just a stunt to make themselves look good because they are getting a bad rap. DRM-monger Microsoft is an anti-censorship beacon? Really?
Google and Yahoo will rat you out at the drop of a hat and so will your ISPs. I call "Bullsh1t!"
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Domestic Anti-Censorship
10/29, 01:59pm reply
For a great domestic anti-censorship organization check out NCAC; National Coalition Against Censorship.
They work with literature, the arts, video games, etc.
http://www.ncac.org.
JeffHarris
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
This?
10/29, 04:10pm reply
Coming from Google?
Didn't they bend to the dictator like will of China to censor the internet a while back when they released the Chinese version of their site?
f****** Hypcrites!
UberFu
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2002
If memory serves
10/29, 05:18pm reply
Yahoo was involved in the same/similar cowtowing to internet censors abroad.
So, "This? Coming from those companies?" might be more appropriate. Can't just single out Google on that front.
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007