Facebook Says It May Be Allowing 'Too Much' Free Speech In Some Nations

Apr 20, 2011 - 21:30
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Facebook Says It May Be Allowing 'Too Much' Free Speech In Some Nations
Facebook Says It May Be Allowing 'Too Much' Free Speech

Facebook is reportedly negotiating with Chinese partners to launch the social network in China, where it is currently blocked from use.

But expanding into China requires abiding by Chinese laws, which require web companies to censor everything from search results to status updates.

Though Facebook says it is dedicated to making the world a \"more open and connected\" place--a mission that clashes with the Chinese govement's frequent crackdowns on Inteet expression--a spokesperson told the Wall Street Joual that it is considering censoring the content that appears on its site in nations abroad.

While he did not mention China specifically, Facebook lobbyist Adam Conner told the Joual, \"Maybe we will block content in some countries, but not others.\"

(Facebook's director of inteational communications noted only that the company was \"studying and leaing about China\" but has so far \"made no decisions about if, or how, we will approach it.\")

Facebook has remained relatively mum on the use of the site by protestors in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond as a tool for organizing demonstrations.

Conner suggested that the company may be bringing \"too much\" freedom of expression in some nations

\"We are occasionally held in uncomfortable positions because now we're allowing too much, maybe, free speech in countries that haven't experienced it before,\" Conner said.

What do you think of Facebook's stance? Weigh in below.

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Mike Gallagher Freelance writer with a passion for travelling