Update: Google in China

Yesterday, I posted this article, which drew a long but detailed comment that's worth reading. Today, digg took me to a story in USA Today about legislation sponsored by House Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey. The legislation is intended to keep server machines that are owned by US companies, and that store personal information, out of China. The idea is that keeping the machines physically remote limits exposure to seizure by the government.

My initial post was simplistic; my opinion hasn't changed fundamentally, but it has gotten more nuanced. This is legislation that at least makes policy sense, in supporting the goal of protecting human rights. I still believe that singling out technology companies makes no sense. I hope that Congress considers a broader policy. But I have to admit that Smith's bill is aimed in the right direction.