A year ago, technology executives were sharply criticized by members of Congress for going along with the censorship of websites in China, and being too cooperative with repressive regimes. In particular, Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang was questioned about the arrest of a Chinese human rights activist after Yahoo handed over his user information to the authorities.

Practically every U.S.-owned search engine has caved to the Chinese government's demands that they censor political web sites in China. Google at times has blocked Chinese users' access to the BBC while Yahoo has filtered out Voice of America. The companies have acted in what they see as their own self interest, and they have taken a lot of heat. In an attempt to lower the temperature, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are now adopting voluntary guidelines for dealing with other nations like China that restrict free speech.

The guidelines, which have been written over the past two years, cover a number of human rights issues that Internet companies might encounter in repressive countries. Rather than simply caving on the orders from local officials, the guidelines state that companies should ensure that they comply with local law, narrowly interpret what is sought and seek to limit requests that seem too broad. The guidelines appear to be a good first step, but it remains to be seen how they will work and whether they go far enough. Eventually the organization overseeing the code will file reports on whether individual companies are complying with the guidelines.

Morton Sklar, executive director of the World Organization of Human Rights, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the standards are an expression of general support for freedom of expression on the Internet, but they don't go beyond that to provide specific actions (Check out our article on the subject).

The Internet companies must walk a fine line. They could be barred from operating if they don't comply with the laws of particular countries, but they cannot be used to suppress freedom of speech and foster repression. While each country has its own customs, there are basic principles that must be upheld. So these guidelines are welcome indeed. - Judi