All firms should follow Google's lead

LABOUR PARTY MP Tom Watson is urging other companies to follow Google's lead and reconsider their positions on Chinese Internet restrictions.

Watson raised the issue in a discussion in the House of Commons, explaining that he commended Google for its actions and hoped that other, similar companies would take note, and action as well.

The early day motion reads, "That this House notes with concern Google's announcement that its corporate infrastructure was attacked from sources originating in China; further notes that the primary reason for the attempted hack was to target private email accounts of human rights activists; congratulates Google on the decision to end its policy of censoring search results in China; and further believes that other technology companies should follow Google's lead by refusing to collaborate with demands to censor their activities."

On his blog, Watson went into more detail about his feelings on the issue. "Google's discovery that the attack was an attempt to hack the Gmail accounts of known Chinese dissidents will shock many. It's clearly had a deep impact on the bosses of the company. They're ending their much derided policy of censoring search results in China. We should all applaud them for this brave corporate move."

High on his agenda is Apple, which we all know and love, except for perhaps any Chinese Dalai Lama fans. "And we should also use their lead to put pressure on other technology companies to stop all this nonsense once and for all. Apple should go next. They should refuse to censor the Dalai Lama applications from their App store," Watson added

One rather shrewd punter has commented on Watson's blog, adding, "Similarly, we should not permit other governments from using the same technologies in the same ways as those widely recognised as repressive. Especially our own."

Hear hear. µ