U.S. Internet giants sign privacy protocol

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Microsoft and other giant U.S. technology companies say they have agreed to a new code of conduct meant to preserve free speech and privacy on the Internet.

Called the Global Network Initiative, the agreement comes after Microsoft and such Silicon Valley, Calif., giants as Google and Yahoo faced criticism for working with governments in countries such as China to censor what residents can read on the Internet, the BBC reported Wednesday.

The three companies say the new guidelines attempt to define what kind of data should be shared with governments seeking to limit free speech.

"This is an important first step," Mike Posner of Human Rights First told the BBC. "What this is is a recognition by all these tech companies, the human rights groups and social investors that there has to be a collective response to this growing problem."

The guidelines assert that privacy is "a human right and guarantor of human dignity." The initiative commits the companies to resisting vague or sweeping demands from governments for restrictions on freedom of speech and the privacy of users, the broadcaster said.