Durbin probes tech firms on China

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Tuesday sent letters to 30 technology companies seeking information about their human-rights practices in China.

The letters were sent to Apple, Facebook, Skype and Twitter. Durbin, who is chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, also said he will hold a hearing on global Internet freedom next month. He expects Google and administration officials to testify.

The interest in Internet freedom was sparked last month when Google said it was the target of a massive cyber attack originating from China. Google threatened to pull out of China altogether unless the country stops censoring communications.

"I commend Google for coming to the conclusion that cooperating with the 'Great Firewall' of China is inconsistent with their human-rights responsibilities," Durbin said. "Google sets a strong example in standing up to the Chinese government's continued failure to respect the fundamental human rights of free expression and privacy. I look forward to learning more about whether other American companies are willing to follow Google's lead."

The letters ask the companies for details about their Chinese operations and what, if any, measures will be put in place to prevent human-rights abuses by the country's government.

Durbin is following up on a letter he sent to a wide range of tech firms last year, asking them to join a voluntary code of conduct known as the Global Network Initiative, which has been backed by Google, Microsoft and Yahoo.

Some companies, including Twitter and Toshiba, did not respond to last year's letter. In 2008, Durbin held a hearing during which he questioned Google, Yahoo and Cisco about their human-rights practices.