Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo have reached an agreement on a voluntary code of conduct for activities in China and other restrictive countries, the Wall Street Journalreported today.
In letters sent to Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, and Republican Senator Tom Coburn, the companies said the code's details were being worked out, the paper reported.
Senators Durbin and Coburn had asked for an update out of concern that without such a code, Internet companies could be pressured by China's government to provide information about Internet users who are in China for the Olympics, the paper said.
The voluntary code, drawn up after talks with other Internet companies and human-rights groups, will spell out "principles of freedom of expression and privacy" in countries where governments seek users' private information or block access to certain websites, the paper said, citing the letters.
The code will be completed later this year, the paper, according to the report.
Reuters