Following is a letter sent to the Editor of the Financial Times:
I remember the time when companies were required to follow the law in the countries where they operated or they were not only prosecuted in the country where they broke the law, but also had difficulties in their home country. Multinationals have been rightly criticized for years for breaking the law in those countries where they operated, just because they were big and rich (“Yahoo wants united front on China censorship” FT February 13).
Now those very same groups that made the most noise against multinationals and their interference in the internal affairs of the countries they operate in are criticizing Yahoo and Google for following the laws of China.
These companies have two choices, follow the laws of China or not do business in China. It is not their responsibility to participate in the political process or interfere in the internal affairs of any country, and they have no obligation to act to avoid the law.
The political process can only be influenced by governments in their relations with China, a task they have been singularly reluctant to take up, given the strategic interests.
Companies should be required to follow the law in all jurisdictions in which they operate and be left alone to run their businesses. Google may talk stuff (humbug!) about doing good, but they and Yahoo are a listed companies and should behave accordingly.
Onésimo Alvarez-Moro
Do we really want to leave it in the hands of companies which laws they follow and which not? Naturally, Yahoo is calling for some sort of coordinated approach, especially now that they are up before the US Congress in what promises to be lively sessions and grandstanding from politicians which, at the same time, are criticising Google for refusing user data requested by the US government.
Sounds like a case of do as I say not as I do.
Onésimo Alvarez-Moro
See article:
Yahoo has called for broad co-operation among internet, media and communication companies and the US government to counter Chinese censorship on the web.
The embattled internet company is turning to the Bush administration to take a stronger stance with the Chinese on behalf of US internet and media companies as it faces increasing criticism in Washington and among human rights activists about its decision to hand to the Chinese government personal information about two of its users – actions that activists say resulted in the imprisonment of two Chinese dissidents.
See full Article (paid subscription required).
Posts
