Bloomberg is reporting this morning that Chinese search giant Baidu is being sued by eight Chinese residents of New York. According to the report, they assert that Baidu is helping the Chinese government censor political opinion online, and that this violates the U.S. constitution.
The lawsuit demands $16 million in damages from Baidu and the Chinese governement, but oddly it does not demand that Baidu change how it operates. The lawyer for the plaintiffs explained that “it would be futile to expect Baidu to change.” The eight individuals are described in the complaint as “promoters of democracy in China through their writings, publications, [and] reporting.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin shone a spotlight on Baidu earlier this month when he addressed a letter to Baidu about his concerns over its censorship, as well as its rumored partnership with Facebook.
Meanwhile China is setting up new offices dedicated to online ‘information management,’ while the U.S. rolls out its strategy for promoting global internet freedom.
Photo: Bloomberg
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
