Microsoft is apparently concerned about Chinese plans to install snooping software, which will block access to porn sites, on every PC. Redmond has told the world it is concerned that the Chinese rule to include Web filtering software raises issues of freedom of expression, privacy, and security.

The US computer industry association has denounced the Chinese move and the largest US personal computer makers said they were studying its ramifications. A Microsoft spokesperson said that the company believes that the availability of appropriate parental control tools is an important societal consideration for industry and governments around the world.

However it was also in favour of the free flow of information and to encouraging transparency, deliberation and restraint with respect to Internet governance. What it didn't say was whether the software would break Windows. Many people have been concerned that filtering software might not work successfully with existing operating systems.