Members of Congress accused U.S.-based Internet companies of violating American principles of free speech and giving in to pressure from Beijing by censoring information contained on their Web sites.
They also doled out criticism to the four companies in question--Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and Cisco Systems--for failing to attend the briefing, which was called by a Congressional committee to shed
light on how Internet companies do business with China. In a joint statement, Microsoft and Yahoo said that by themselves, they lack the leverage to influence world governments, suggesting that the
other two companies could work together with governments to better protect the interests of all. Rep. Tom Lantos of California (D) accused these companies of cowardice, saying they could have used
their technologies to sidestep Beijing's government gatekeepers, instead of agreeing to protect its policies. At the meeting, Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group, showed how Yahoo aided the
Chinese government in arresting a journalist who criticized the government for human rights abuses. Meanwhile, foreign companies that operate businesses in China have also adopted China's standards,
saying they would not break local laws. There will be another hearing on the issue Feb. 15, in which the four absent companies could be compelled to attend through federal subpoenas; Microsoft,
Google, Yahoo, and Cisco all said they planned to attend the next hearing.
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