Sheila Jenkins Oracle News Headlines

Microsoft revamps blogging policy

http://computerworld.com/developmenttopics/development/webservices/story/0,10801,108213,00.html

This Computerworld article notes that Microsoft will remove and alter blogs where the comments violate local laws:

Microsoft Corp. has formulated a new policy to deal with requests from a government that alleges that posted material violates its laws. . . . Microsoft is readying technology that will allow the blocking of blogs just within a specific country, Smith said. "We will act when we have the legal duty to do so," he said. "We will act when we are given the kind of notice that clearly makes that duty binding upon us."

Moreover, Microsoft will notify the owner of the blog that the site was removed as a result of a notice from government.

Highly praised by Internet advocates, this policy is very important, and requires bloggers and publishers to obey the laws in all countries where their content is read:

“The unexpected announcement was immediately praised by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Robinson said she was "extremely pleased" and that the move was of "crucial importance."

The laws of many countries make a blogger liable for defamatory and illegal comments in their blogs, and Microsoft’s policy helps to promote a responsible Internet market: 

“Like it or not, millions of Americans have unwittingly become amateur journalists, without the benefit of understanding the important laws regarding publishing of information that might hurt someone else.”