US Internet search titan Yahoo issued a rallying cry for online freedom on Monday in response to criticism over its cooperation with the Chinese government.
"Where a government requests we restrict search results, we will do so if required by applicable law and only in a way that impacts the results as narrowly as possible," Yahoo said.
The statement came as Yahoo faces increasing criticism about it giving the Chinese government personal information about two of its users -- actions that activists say resulted in the imprisonment of two Chinese dissidents.
US lawmakers and activists have assailed Yahoo and a handful of other Internet companies, including Google, for giving in to Chinese restrictions on free speech. A congressional hearing was set Wednesday to discuss the issue.
"If we are required to restrict search results, we will strive to achieve maximum transparency to the user," Yahoo's statement said.
Yahoo's statement made no specific reference to China. But it said the quest for a free and unrestricted Internet requires help from governments, industry and others.
"Private industry alone cannot effectively influence foreign government policies on issues like the free exchange of ideas, maximum access to information, and human rights reform, and we believe continued government-to-government dialogue is vital to achieve progress on these complex political issues," Yahoo said.
"We will work with industry, government, academia and NGOs [non-government organizations] to explore policies to guide industry practices in countries where content is treated more restrictively than in the United States and to promote the principles of freedom of speech and expression."
Earlier on Monday, the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal reported that Yahoo would urge the administration of US president George W. Bush to take a stronger stance with Beijing on behalf of US Internet and media companies.
Michael Callahan, Yahoo's general counsel, told the FT that Yahoo's compliance with Chinese law has led to some "serious and distressing consequences" but that it was not the only company facing the issue.
The Chinese government, which is decried for having the most sophisticated censorship machine on the planet, has compelled Internet firms to filter search results and share user information in order to do business in the country.
This is "everyone's dilemma: operate in a country and comply with laws that lack transparency, or withdraw," Callahan said.
Internet giants such as Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft have been left to choose between compromising on Internet freedom or being excluded from the exploding Chinese Internet market.
"We recognize each country enacts its own laws in accordance with its own local norms and mores, and we must comply with applicable laws," Yahoo said. "We also believe our presence significantly benefits a country's citizens through access to services and information."
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