So the Internet moguls are finally getting together to protect "freedom of speech" [in the west] against foreign oppressors?hmm...
What if I don't believe this?
What if it's just for show?
What if this is just a front to protect themselves from future lawsuits?
NEW YORK - Leading Internet companies, long criticized by human rights groups for their business dealings in China, are agreeing to new guidelines that seek to limit what data they should share with authorities worldwide and when they should do so.
The guidelines, to be announced Tuesday, call for Google Inc., Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to try to reduce the scope of government requests that appear to conflict with free speech and other human rights principles. They also require participating companies to seek requests in writing, along with the names and titles of the authorizing officer.
The Global Network Initiative guidelines were drawn up by the Internet companies along with human rights organizations, investors and academics.