U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) criticized Google Inc. for caving to the demands of the Chinese government by agreeing to censor its own search results. 

    Smith, Chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees Global Human Rights, announced that on February 15, he would lead a hearing that will examine the operating procedures of US internet companies in China. 

    “It is astounding that Google, whose corporate philosophy is ‘don’t be evil,’ would enable evil by cooperating with China’s censorship policies just to make a buck,” said Smith, who has been a leading human rights advocate since being elected to Congress. “China’s policy of cutting off the free flow of information is prohibitive for the growth of democracy and the rule of law. Many Chinese have suffered imprisonment and torture in the service of truth – and now Google is collaborating with their persecutors.”

    Smith noted that the internet is a powerful tool that could be used to empower voices calling for freedom and democracy across the globe. 

    “Internet companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft attract some of the best and brightest minds to develop cutting edge technology that can be used for good throughout the world,” said Smith. “The ability to communicate openly is the key to unlock the door to freedom for those who cannot feel its touch, and these companies can help to provide that.”

    Smith has invited various US companies to testify at the hearing, including: Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Cisco. Also scheduled to testify are: State Department Senior Advisor for China and Mongolia James Keith, State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Policy David Gross, Julien Pain from Reporters Without Borders and Harry Wu from the LaoGai Research Foundation. 

    “Years ago we fought to give Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia the capacity to empower the voices of freedom throughout communist countries and look at the success that followed,” said Smith, who authored the law to authorize Radio Free Asia to broadcast 24 hours daily. “Americans need to empower those who seek the path of democracy, not stifle their ability to speak.”