Google Official Calls for Action on Internet Restrictions - NYTimes.com

Sign of the times

A top Google executive on Wednesday called for rules to put pressure on governments that filter the Internet, saying the practice was hindering international trade.

Alan Davidson, director of public policy for Google, told a joint Congressional panel that the United States should consider withholding development aid for countries that restrict certain Web sites. He said censorship had become more than a human rights issue and was hurting profit for foreign companies that rely on the Internet to reach customers.

Google Official Calls for Action on Internet Restrictions - NYTimes.com