Microsoft announced a new censorship policy for MSN Spaces. It will:

• Remove access to blog content only when it receives a legally binding notice from the government indicating that the material violates local laws, or if the content violates MSN’s terms of use.

• Remove access to content only in the country issuing the order. This is a new capability Microsoft is implementing in the MSN Spaces infrastructure.

• Will, when local laws require the company to block access to certain content, ensure that users know why that content was blocked, by notifying them that access has been limited due to a government restriction.

The announcement was made by GC Brad Smith, who, according to the press release:

noted that Microsoft believes that innovative online communication services help people to communicate and express themselves, and are valuable tools in enhancing relationships and commerce. Smith said that Microsoft believes that is better for customers if Microsoft is present in global markets with these tools and services, even in restrictive markets, than not offering the services at all, but there remains a need for clear principles to guide new technology and policy decisions.