Week in review: Challenging China
New U.S. policy dares companies to challenge repressive governments. Also: Apple event countdown, and NYT's new pay plans.
The Obama administration wants companies doing business overseas to step to the plate in the fight against governments that repress access to the Internet.
A little more than a week after Google's blunt declaration about Chinese censorship and illegal electronic intrusions, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton unveiled a new U.S. policy that essentially dared U.S. companies to follow Google's lead and put an end to their complicit censorship of Internet content.
Clinton stopped short of actually proposing regulations, or sanctions, on Internet companies that comply with censorship laws. But her tone was clear: it's now the policy of the U.S. government to renounce corporate "engagement," or the belief that by merely being in countries like China, U.S. Internet companies are helping expand access to information.
Podcast: Hillary Clinton on Internet freedom
Google's spy case: Not the first, nor the last
Corporate spying is an unfortunate fact of life for U.S. corporations, which have seen a surge in attacks from Chinese perpetrators in the last several years. Google insiders may have helped with attack
Google postpones phone launches in China
McAfee: A 'watershed moment'
Baidu.com sues U.S. domain registrar over hacking
Microsoft fixes 8 IE holes, including one used in attacks
Internet Explorer hole targeted in attacks on Google and others is one of a group of critical holes fixed in cumulative patch released out-of-cycle by Microsoft. Microsoft warns of flaw in 32-bit Windows kernel
More headlines
Apple officially announces January 27 event
After weeks of buzz and speculation, the company formally announces invitation-only event with the invite's teasing message: "Come see our latest creation." Five things to expect at Apple's next event
What tops Apple tablet wish list
Apple, labels talk music in the cloud
Analysts ponder the power inside Apple's tablet
Report: Apple tablet is a shared media device
New York Times can't build its pay wall alone
In switching digital content to a metered subscription model, the paper has stated it wants to go it alone--near impossible in a world where distribution is everything. New York Times to charge online readers
How much will readers will pay?
Verizon ends service of alleged illegal downloaders
Broadband provider, which has been sending warnings to customers on copyright owners' behalf, says most recipients stop illegally downloading content after one e-mail. More on Verizon and its antipiracy efforts
Facebook's 'Dashboard' will clean up apps soon
In weeks, a redesigned Facebook home page will stratify app activity into its own tab designed for active social gamers. Developers are now invited to test it out. Facebook plugs friends list mobile leak
Grounded teen tries Facebook to embarrass parents
Amazon: Kindle app store on the way
Less than a week before Apple is expected to announce a much-anticipated tablet, Amazon takes its first steps toward letting developers build applications for its e-reader. Amazon ups author royalty for Kindle, matching Apple
Off-grid solar to be used in Haiti relief efforts
Off-grid solar products for lighting, water purification, cell phones, and cooking are being donated and shipped as part of relief efforts in Haiti. Using Twitter to help Haiti
iPhone app helps man survive Haiti quake
YouTube gets rentals, starting with Sundance films
The popular video provider gets into the rental business with a small selection of titles from the Sundance Film Festival. YouTube does spring cleaning on its watch pages
YouTube begins HTML5 rollout
Bill Gates shares his notes
Microsoft's chairman is launching a Web site to offer his thoughts on matters from philanthropy to the climate. In an exclusive interview, Gates talks about the site. Bill Gates joins Twitter
Also of note
Meet Marko, the 9-year-old systems engineer
Router glitch cripples California DMV network
Oracle-Sun deal gets EU approval, finally