Clinton Urged to Press Companies for Cooperation in Internet Freedom Efforts

Washington, D.C. – In response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s speech to kick off a Freedom Online conference hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino issued the following statement: “Secretary Clinton today issued a clear message to tech companies: if you allow your products and services to restrict global online freedom or target peaceful dissent, you’re undermining the universal responsibility to support fundamental freedoms everywhere. We commend her and this administration for its recognition that private sector cooperation is an essential key to keeping the global internet open and free. “Now, the administration must put into practice the promises Secretary Clinton made today and in previous speeches. The administration should actively engage companies to ensure that they have the information, tools and incentive they need to address misuse of their products by repressive governments.”