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Google, Microsoft and Yahoo will be the subjects of a US congressional committee over agreements to censor internet services to Chinese citizens.

Chris Smith, chairman of the house subcommittee that oversees global human rights, has announced that he will hold a hearing on 16 February to investigate the conduct of US technology firms in China.

"It is astounding that Google, whose corporate philosophy is 'Don't be evil', would enable evil by co-operating with China's censorship policies just to make a buck," said Smith, a Republican representing New Jersey.

Oh ... ho-hum. I see the point, but think the criticism is shortsighted. You might successfully censor above-ground discussions of this issue or that, and kill links to overtly seditious writings — but human ingenuity and the 'Net are too big to defeat all surreptitious gatherings, coded discussions, oblique idioms. Let's not overlook, either, the inevitable civil restlessness that will be brought on by visions of iPods, Levi's, and easy sex.

Capitalism is the strongest force for freedom there is and, as Winston Churchill once famously said, he who tries to ride the tiger must inevitably be eaten. China will find that out soon enough.

By the way — Disclosure: Civil Commotion publishes Google advertisements.

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