Obviously politics and technology do not mix that well: Reporters without Borders reports once again how Yahoo! has helped the Chinese police to gather evidence to implicate another political dissident. Reporters Without Borders obtained a copy of the verdict in the case of Jiang Lijun who whas sentenced to four years in prison in November 2003 for writing online pro-democracy articles. The copy of the verdict shows clearly that Yahoo! helped the Chinese police to identify him. It is the third case that proves Yahoo! was involved. In this case Yahoo! handed an e-mail to the authorities from the draft folder from Jiang Lijun. It seems that Yahoo quickly becomes an online KGB for those goverments that do not take democracy too serious. Af few weeks ago Google decided it will censor its search services in China in order to gain greater access to China’s fast-growing market. It is alarming – but not surprising – how easy companies are willing to compromise when marketshare (equals money) is involved. As the Reporters without Borders website explains:
Today more than 100 journalists are in prison for “crimes”such as revealing inconvenient information, calling for greater personal freedoms and refusing to be censored or follow an imposed line. In fact, for the “crime” of simply wanting to do their job.
It would be a horrible thought if Internet companies such as Google and Yahoo! are going to provide governments information like mentioned. Off course Big Brother is already watching us, but the idea of them having access to the data that Google of Yahoo aqcuire is just horrifying.
You can sign various petitions or become a member on the website of Reporters without Borders.