Facebook says any return to China would preserve freedom of expression

Facebook's position is more cautious than Google, which is trying to recover its search engine in China. (Image Source: Reuters)

Facebook Inc. has stated that if it ever returns to China, it will do so in a manner that preserves the rights to freedom of expression and privacy – problems that make such an approach almost impossible today. The social media giant made these comments in a written response to questions from US senators. Facebook's position is more cautious than Google, which is trying to bring back its search engine in China. This project has been the subject of intense criticism and debate among employees and external stakeholders, who claim that the company is violating its mission. Sundar Pichai, the Google leader, said the Chinese market was too important to ignore.

Since 2013, Facebook has reported being a member of the Global Network Initiative, a digital rights organization that complies with the United Nations Principles on Business and Information Technologies. human rights. Every two years, the company evaluates to what extent it adheres to the objectives.

"In accordance with these commitments, due diligence in respect of human rights and careful consideration of freedom of expression and privacy implications would be important elements of any decision to enter China. Said the company to US senators. "Facebook has been stuck in China since 2009 and no decision has been made regarding the conditions under which a future service could be offered in China."

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That does not mean that the company remains completely out of the Chinese market. There are vendors based there to sell ads to local businesses that want to reach people outside of China. The company sometimes tried to open an office in Beijing and launched a photo sharing app in the country called Colorful Balloons. The company answered questions as a follow-up to Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg's testimony to Congress in September.

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