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Dell & HP: Don't Do China's Dirty Work
China has announced that as of July 1, all PC computers must be installed with "Green Dam," a Chinese-manufactured internet filtering software program. "Green Dam" will not only allow the Chinese government to further censor information about Tibet, human rights, and anything else Beijing deems 'politically sensitive,' but it could also be used to spy on and control PC users in Tibet and China.
American computer giants Dell and HP are currently in discussions with the Chinese government on the implications of this software.
Please send a letter to Dell CEO, Michael Dell, and HP CEO, Mark Hurd, urging them to uphold the principles of free speech and internet freedom by refusing to install "Green Dam" on computers headed to the Chinese market.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Stand up for Internet freedom in China & Tibet.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am alarmed to learn that the Chinese government is trying to force computer manufacturers, including leading American companies Dell and HP, to install censorship software on all PC computers headed to the Chinese market after July 1st. I join tens of thousands of people worldwide in expressing grave concern over China's 'Green Dam' filtering software, and I urge you to refuse to comply with this repressive mandate.
In Chinese occupied Tibet, there is no freedom of speech. Tibetans risk arrest, imprisonment, and even torture for expressing their views online or passing information to the outside word. The 'Green Dam' software will only serve to strengthen the Chinese government's clampdown on human rights, information freedom, and free speech in Tibet and China.
According to international human rights standards, your company has a responsibility to respect and protect the privacy rights and freedom of expression of your users.
I appeal to you to remain firm in your company's commitment to providing users with open technology and the free flow of information in your negotiations with the Chinese government. You are in a unique position to broker an end to this repressive policy by refusing to install "Green Dam" software on your machines.
I will continue to monitor this issue closely. Please stand on the right side of history.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
June 11, 2009
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The Chinese government is notorious for actively restricting the free flow of information and for monitoring internet communications in China and Tibet through its censorship program known as the "China's Great Firewall."
Most recently, Beijing blocked YouTube and Twitter in advance of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Chinese authorities maintain a virtual information blackout in Tibet.
Under the guise of restricting access to pornography and other 'harmful' material, the Chinese government announced on June 8th that, as of next month, all new PC computers must be pre-installed with a censorship software program called "Green Dam."
According to digital rights groups, this software will not only increase internet censorship, but it could also allow the Chinese government to monitor every PC computer in China and Tibet. Given the Chinese government's track record of using information and communications technology to monitor and spy on its own citizens, this new set of restrictions is incredibly alarming.
China's announcement has prompted an outcry from technology industry associations, internet freedom advocates, Chinese internet user and bloggers, Chinese lawyers, and human rights groups. The U.S embassy in Beijing has issued a statement expressing concern about China's actions "that seek to restrict access to the internet as well as restrictions on the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression."
Companies including Yahoo, Google, and Skype have faced global criticism in recent years for partnering with the Chinese government to actively suppress human rights and information freedom by tailoring their technology to conform to Chinese government restrictions.
Help send a message to American computer giants Dell and HP urging them not to make the same mistake.
TAKE ACTION:
Below is a list of Dell and HP corporate offices. Please take a moment to call the office nearest you to voice your concern about "Green Dam" and to urge the company to protect freedom of expression and internet freedom in China and Tibet.
Dell Corporate Headquarters
1 Dell Way
Round Rock, TX 78682-2222Ê
Phone: 512-338-4400
Fax: 512-283-6161
Toll Free: 800-289-3355
CEO: Michael Dell
Asia Pacific
Dell Singapore Pte Ltd
180 Clemenceau Avenue
#06-01 Haw Par Center
Singapore 239922
Dell India Pvt Ltd
Divyasree Greens, Ground Floor
Challagatta Village, Varthus Hobli
Bangalore
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Dell UK
The Boulevard, Cain Road
Bracknell RG12 1LF, United KingdomÊ
Phone: +44-1344-860-456
Fax: +44-1344-372-363
Dell UK and Ireland
Dell Innovation House
Cherrywood Science & Technology Park
Cabinteely, Co.
Dublin, Ireland
Phone: 0870 907 4944
Hewlett-Packard Company
Corporate HQ
3000 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185 USA
Phone: (650) 857-1501
Fax: (650) 857-5518
CEO: Mark Hurd
Click here to fill in an online email form to Mark Hurd
Americas
Hewlett-Packard Canada Co.
5150 Spectrum Way
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 5G1
Canada
Phone: (905) 206-4725
Fax: (905) 206-4739
CEO: Paul Tsaparis
Hewlett-Packard Latin America
Waterford Building, 9th Floor
5200 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, Florida 33126 USA
Phone: (305) 267-4220
Fax: (305) 265-5550
Hewlett-Packard USA
20555 SH 249
Houston, TX 77070 USA
Phone: (281) 370-0670
Fax: (281) 514-1740
Asia Pacific
Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Ltd.
450 Alexandra Road
Singapore 119960
Phone: (+65) 6275-3888
Fax: (+65) 6275-6839
CEO: Tan Yen Yen
Hewlett-Packard Japan
7 Goban-Cho
Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 102-0076 Japan
Phone: (+81) 3 3512-5700
CEO: Yasuyuki Higuchi
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Hewlett-Packard
150 Route du Nant-d'Avril
1217 Meyrin 2
Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: (+41) 22 780-8111
Fax: (+41) 22 780-8542
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