Our challenge: Keeping the Internet open

[Commentary] The Internet is one of the world's most important means of free expression. Yet censorship of the Web is growing; more than 40 governments censor information today, up from about four in 2002. And some governments are blocking -- or proposing to block -- content even before it reaches their citizens. Authoritarian countries are building firewalls and cracking down on dissent, dealing harshly with anyone who breaks the rules. We at Google believe that greater transparency will lead to less censorship online. That's why we are launching a tool that will give people information about the government requests for content removal and user data that Google receives from around the world.

Google has a four-part plan to help encourage access to online information: 1) trying to change the behavior of repressive governments, 2) developing external partnerships to establish guiding principles for dealing with issues of free expression, 3) building support online to protest repression, and 4) providing resources and support for developing technology designed to combat and circumvent Internet censorship.

[Drummond is chief legal officer of Google Inc. and senior vice president of corporate development.]