On the heels of Google's setting up shop in China, EFF has called on Internet companies operating abroad to implement services that better protect human rights. According to ComputerWorld, Google has taken a step in the right direction and decided to store their massive data logs outside of China. That way, the logs can't become a dangerous honeypot of personal information for the oppressive regime, helping it monitor citizens' Internet activities and crack down on disfavored behavior.

Much more can still be done to protect Chinese citizens, but this decision is laudable. Yahoo!, MSN, and others should follow Google's lead and limit their data collection and retention.

(And while they're at it, why not change such practices back home and protect the privacy of US citizens, too?)

[Updated, 3/9 - The title of this post originally stated that Google stopped storing logs in China; in fact, they never have .]

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