Watchdog Urges US Lawmakers To Press Google CEO On Censored Search App Launch In China

US lawmakers should ensure that Google does not escape responsibility for its controversial content filtering practices in China, a prominent human rights watchdog said on Tuesday ahead of Google CEO Sundar Pichai's appearance before the US Congress.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th December, 2018) US lawmakers should ensure that Google does not escape responsibility for its controversial content filtering practices in China, a prominent human rights watchdog said on Tuesday ahead of Google CEO Sundar Pichai's appearance before the US Congress.

Google is reported to be working on a search engine for China, dubbed "Dragonfly," which blocks access to websites blacklisted by the Chinese government. Later on Tuesday, Pichai is due to testify in Congress over the digital giant's reported bias, as well as its transparency policies.

"US lawmakers must press Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the company's disturbing plans for a censored search app in China ... This is a crucial moment for internet freedom. We call on Congress to demand clarity from Sundar Pichai and urge him to drop Project Dragonfly," Amnesty International said in a press release.

The rights watchdog also expressed its concern over media reports that suggest Google might facilitate the Chinese authorities' access to personal data of Internet users.

"If such features were launched, there is a real risk that Google would directly assist the Chinese government in arresting or imprisoning people simply for expressing their views online, making the company complicit in human rights violations," the watchdog argued.

The Chinese government facilitates censorship of information that authorities consider harmful and strictly monitor both traditional and new media. Google publicly exited the Chinese market in 2010, citing concerns over the repression of freedom of expression online, but is planning to re-enter it by launching project "Dragonfly."