US Lawmakers to Keep Google Out of China?

caese writes "USATODAY is reporting that lawmakers in the US are proposing legislation that would keep Google and others out of China. From the article: 'Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is drafting a bill that would force Internet companies including Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to keep vital computer servers out of China and other nations the State Department deems repressive to human rights.'"

Comments

FUD and Flamebait?

[QuestorTapes]

A few observations:

> USATODAY is reporting that lawmakers in the US are proposing legislation that
> would keep Google and others out of China.

Actually, no. First off, the bill hasn't even been drafted yet.

Secondarily, as I read the article, it wouldn't prevent anyone from doing business in China and other oppressive regimes. It would simply require the "vital computer servers" (currently not defined; remember, it hasn't been -drafted- yet) from being located physically within the opressive regime's geographic control.

> From the article: 'Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is drafting a bill that
> would force Internet companies including Google, Yahoo and Microsoft
> to keep vital computer servers out of China and other nations the State
> Department deems repressive to human rights.

The part that wasn't quoted says: "Moving servers would keep personal data they house from government reach. But that also could weaken the firms' crucial Internet search engines."

It appears the intent of the bill is to prohibit situations where crucial equipment could be physically compromised by force, although since it hasn't been drafted yet, it could go further, of course.

I don't know anything about Rep. Smith, but this page:

http://www.house.gov/chrissmith/laws/laws.htm

Seems to indicate he has been actively interested in human rights under opressive regimes rather than gestapo internet control laws. Maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt, at least until after he has finished a first draft we could look at?

Re:Why Internet Companies?

[1u3hr]

Bill Clinton, who helped extend them "most favored nation" trading status

And what about that pinko Nixon -- he kowtowed to Mao in 1972.

And that fellow-traveller Reagan: "...a few countries must obtain an annual presidential waiver or extension of a waiver to continue their NTR status. China is the most important country in this group which must obtain an annual waiver to maintain NTR. The waiver for China has been in effect since 1980."

Re:Who's being repressive?

[TubeSteak]

Please, please don't quote the Constitution.

I highly suggest you go read Article 1, Sections 8 and 10.
http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec8.html
http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec10.html

Section 8 tells us that Congress has the power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.

Section 10 tells us that States have almost no rights to engage in anything with a foreign Power and any laws that States are allowed "shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress"

I already wrote another post in response to someone who didn't read Article 1, Section 8 very closely. I'm not a Constitutional lawyer, but I have some understanding of portions of the Constitution that my studies have touched on.