Yahoo now faces two more lawsuits from Chinese dissidents

As if Microsoft’s takeover bid was not enough, Yahoo Inc. now faces two more lawsuits from Chinese dissidents.

Yahoo Inc.’s Jerry Yang, the Sunnyvale Company’s co-founder and chief executive, sent a letter last Thursday to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to help secure the release of Chinese dissidents, including two who were jailed after the Web portal gave authorities information about their online activities.

“Federal lawsuits in California claim loss of investments and a university job after Yahoo China turned over information to Chinese authorities. The suits by Chinese dissidents focus on Yahoo’s e-mail policies and blocking. Yahoo is accused of aiding and abetting in torture and other abuses in violation of international law.”

Yang asked Rice to use her forthcoming trip to pressure Chinese officials into releasing Shi Tao and Wang Xiaoning, using the Olympic Games in Beijing as leverage.

“We know we have an important role to play in advocating for the release of these political dissidents,” Yang wrote. “We are also aware of the limits of private American companies engaging in foreign policy.”

Source: http://news.ebrandz.com/content/view/1751/532/