Google's research project in China would raise the concern of US lawmakers

Google's effort to return to China attracts the attention of Congress.

A bipartisan group of 16 lawmakers sent a letter to Google on Thursday asking whether the effort implied that the search giant is complying with China's Internet censorship and surveillance policies, according to Reuters.

Google is reportedly working on a censored version of its search engine for China, which would allow it to enter the country eight years after its initial withdrawal.

The project, dubbed "Dragonfly", sparked a protest by 1,000 Google employees last month. Some employees, including principal investigator Jack Poulson, also reportedly resigned in protest.

Lawmakers said they had serious concerns about the potential research project and asked if Google "would ensure that Chinese citizens or foreigners living in China, including Americans, are not monitored or targeted. by Google apps. " They also asked how the search giant would inform users in China of the restrictions Google was adhering to.

To quell the worries of employees, Google CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly said last month that the search giant "is not about to launch a research product in China" but is thinking about how to do it. more in the country.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rep David Cicillin, who signed the letter to the company. Co-signer Michael McCaul declined to comment beyond the letter.