As one evil empire to
another
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.