U.S. Internet Companies Hammered by Lawmakers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Google, Yahoo, Cisco, and Microsoft were grilled by U.S. lawmakers Wednesday for their roles in aiding the Chinese communist regime's secret police and propaganda.

"Americans, not just Chinese, are also victims of this censorship," said Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey. "On an informal request from the Chinese [communist regime], Microsoft on December 30, 2005, shut down the blog of Zhao Jing because the contents of Zhao's blog on MSN Spaces was offensive to the PRC… Microsoft shut down the blog not only in China, but everywhere. It not only censored Chinese access to information, but American access to information, a step it has only recently pulled back from.".

Smith chairs the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, which is under the House Committee of Foreign Relations. The title of the Feb. 15 hearing was "The Internet in China: A Tool for Freedom or Suppression?"

"Google has said that some information is better than nothing. But in this case, the limited information displayed amounts to disinformation. A half truth is not the truth—it is a lie. And a lie is worse than nothing," said Smith in his opening speech.

"These companies need to do more than show virtual backbone. What congress is looking for is real spine and the willingness to stand up to the outrageous demands of the totalitarian regime… Your abhorrent activities in China are a disgrace," said Rep. Tom Lantos.

"These companies say that they will change China. But China has already changed them," he said.

Google's representative made it clear about their strong motivation to do business in China.

"[W]e want to be active in China. It is a huge, rapidly growing, and enormously important market, and our key competitors are already there… We are a business with stockholders, and we want to prosper and grow in a highly competitive world," said Elliot Schrage, Google's Vice President for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

"At the same time, acting ethically is a core value for our company, and an integral part of our business culture," he said.

Stay in China or Leave

These companies argued that it is better to do business in China than to leave: it is not only better for the companies, but also better for the people of China.

Nevertheless, "[e]ngagement and presence in the market alone will not inevitably lead to any particular result except for market access for the companies. Corporate engagement and presence in China will contribute to greater reform and openness only if it is responsible and coherent," said Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China.

Google launched Google.cn in China to improve performance of its searches from inside China in order to gain more of China's market. Google currently has no plans to host Gmail and Blogger in China since they cannot ensure privacy and security of users there.

No Rule of Law in China

"Google's objective is to make the world's information accessible to everyone, everywhere, all the time," said Elliot Schrage.

"Some governments impose restrictions that make our mission difficult to achieve, and this is what we have encountered in China," he said.

Representatives from Google, Yahoo, Cisco, and Microsoft echoed similar arguments to justify their business practices: in order to do business in China, they have to follow Chinese law.

"The Shi Tao case raises profound and troubling questions about basic human righs", said Michael Callahn. "When Yahoo! China in Beijing was required to provide information about the user,… we had no information about the nature of the investigation," said Michael Callahan.

However, there are serious issues about the Chinese law that the companies are following, according to Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa. Those laws contradict China's constitution and the Chinese communist regime operates above the law. "Did you think these through?" he asked.

Some of the committee members indicated that the companies should have known how the Chinese communist regime might abuse the information.

"In an imperfect world, we had to make an imperfect choice," said Elliot Schrage from Google. He admitted that Google is not comfortable and is not proud of their decisions.

"Vague, abstract, inaccurate reference to 'Chinese law' and compliance with domestic law is an indefensible justification for undermining human rights," said Sharon Hom.

Disclosure of Filtering

"Google.cn presents to users a clear notification whenever links have been removed from our search results in response to local laws and regulations in China," said Elliot Schrage.

Yet, Google's brand of censorship facilitates the Chinese communist regime in spreading its propaganda on the Internet. For example, a search on Google.cn for democracy, Tibet or Falun Gong may result in the communist regime's propaganda, while blocking all other sources.

Cisco's Deals

"Cisco does not customize, or develop specialized or unique filtering capabilities, in order to enable different regimes to block access to information. Cisco sells the same equipment in China as it sells worldwide," said Mark Chandler, Cisco's Senior Vice President, General Counsel.

Nonetheless, Cisco has provided the Chinese regime with the technology to filter Internet content through its creation of Policenet, according to Smith. "[Its] revenue from China, according to Derek Bambauer of Legal Affairs, is estimated to be $500 million annually. Yet Cisco has also done little creative thinking to try to minimize the likelihood that its products will be used repressively," he said.

"Cisco Systems, unlike other IT companies, has signed contracts directly with Chinese public security authorities… [N]early all of China has been employing Cisco's surveillance technology in provincial, district and county police agencies," said Dr. Harry Wu, Publisher of China Information Center.

Representatives from Google, Yahoo, Cisco, and Microsoft expressed wishes to work with the U.S. and other governments to resolve issues.

"I intend to introduce The Global Online Freedom Act of 2006 in the coming week to promote freedom of expression on the Internet," said Rep. Chris Smith.

Yuan P. Li, Epoch Times Chief Technical Officer, received a standing ovation as he was introduced by Rohrabacher. Li was instrumental in developing cutting-edge technology to circumvent "The Great Firewall of China." Li was attacked at his Atlanta home on Feb. 8 by armed Chinese communist spies, who stole his laptops and files.

"Mr. Li, you are a hero of freedom," said Rohrabacher.