Chinese firms pledge to counter online terrorism

Twenty-five Chinese Internet companies have pledged to filter online content that promotes terrorism. According to the Cyberspace Administration of China, the companies committed to ‘handle in a timely way terror-related harmful, illegal information, create a clear internet space and maintain social stability.’ The pledge is part of China’s new anti-terrorism legislation, which passed in December and requires Internet companies to help in decryption activities and cooperate with the government in its efforts to fight terrorism. Critics claim that the anti-terrorism measures are used to stifle freedom of expression.